Why we're so different...
Hey there, Its Love_Ink! And as always, I hope that I entertain or maybe poke at your imagination. But First note or disclaimer if you will, is that there is male on male attraction in this particular story. So if you are uncomfortable with ideas of homosexuality then please kindly click the back button and have a wonderful day elsewhere here on Yiffstar. Second note would be that I probably could use an editor, I don't think I'm all that bad with grammar, but some times things just don't come out like as I'd imagine. Any corrections needed I'll be looking out for but a friendly reminder would be wonderful... I know its been a long time since I've posted but I'm throwing in a new story. I'll see the reactions and continue if anyone is interested. This is my second story submitted and a major helpful tip that so many of you gave me was to make it longer. I hope that I make a good setting here and I hope that my talent as grown since last I posted. I want to send out a lot of love and a grate deal of respect for people that went out of their way to help me out and teach me more about writing. And as always, please comment. The only way I can get better is if I can get help from every one here. Or even a complement here and there. <3
Why we're so different...
Chapter one... Of all the things I've lost... I fight on with all I possess...
It was dark and the moon was high, basking what was below in a celestial glow. The clouds were moving quickly over the town made of suburban white shingles and paved roads. The wind picked up and subsided like the waves of a calm ocean. The air was fresh and the breeze was cooling to the still of the night. The town seemed perfect, quiet, nice. Like a wonderful place to raise a family. To find peace, with one school, street after street of housing that looked much like the next. Told apart by signs of each avenue, and some personal belongings and lawn decorations scattered about each house. Here and there a pool or a swing set. A number for each house and a mail box to match. In fact to the foreign eye one would see a warm community with little or no crime. Almost like it was a piece of heaven itself...
Now indeed it was in fact safe. The Town Of Sunnyvale Was indeed Peaceful... But lets look deep into one's heart... Deeply into the one's raised in peace... There are a few that are unhappy, or bored. Painful hearts sing quietly in this town, for fear of sticking out. Such light and perfection can only further draw attention and point out the shadows. Something that can simply be different, can quickly become frightening or alien... On top of one curving road, past most of the housing developments, at the edge of town next to the local church, was one such shadow... The Orphanage Of Sunnyvale... That doubled as a foster home. The Church did what it could for the inhabitants as it was only right to help the less fortunate. But as it so happen... Creatures rarely wanted a pup, kitten, hatching or runt that didn't belong to them. Paster Stevens cared for each that lived under the roof, so long as they followed by the rules of living there. It was not hard, Clean Daily, And go to school, in this a roof and food was provided. Even under these circumstances, There is a form of peace. Nothing out of place... But... It is the illusion of safety that allows trouble to get the drop on us...
The gentle breeze rolled through the trees causing them to seemingly whisper to one another as they danced in the silhouette of the moonlight. Among all the peace of the sky's above, one mind sat deep in thought, troubled simply by his own feelings. The feelings of nothing, the feelings that something was not there, something that was meant to be there but was absent. The Gray Wolf sat hugging his knees against a fine oak tree. His vibrant green eyes reflecting the street lights below the descending hill to the bulk of the town. His head fur was caressed by the gentle wind causing it to dance slightly to its whim. The Wolf remained still as he closed his eyes slowly and sighed, his breath rolling over the silver hooped piercing in the center of his bottom lip.
"Snap out of it Julian..." He whispered to him self.
"You've been here the longest..." He told himself as he drooped his muzzle between his knees and held tighter.
"The day after tomorrow I'll be seventeen..." he mumbled to himself...
"I'll live till a hundred for you Mom..." He hushed as he fought back a tear.
"And I'll live by what I think is right... Dad..." His words became weak from sorrow, his body gently shaking to the night air.
"But you can't... Can't hear me... Can you..." He rasped gritting his fangs and digging his fingers through his dark head fur that fell to his muzzle. His body tensed up and he fought back his nauseating urge to cry. He controlled his breathing and took in a deep breath as he stood up and caught the one tear that had escaped his efforts of control, and flicked it from his paw. He shook his head and tried to clear his thoughts. He couldn't let the younger ones see him like this, they needed some one that was strong to look up to. Normally Julian would be more then up for the task. But his thoughts were just too distracting this night. He trudged to the front door on top of a sanded wooden porch with painted white railings, illuminated only by the porch light with moths dancing their way into the night around it. He reached for the handle and opened the door with a heavy heart... Paster Stevens would just have to suffice for the night... he thought distantly to himself.
Children ran around the house as always and the tall Otter chased them as he always did, deep in play to tier the younger ones out before bed time. But he was still sharp about his wits as one cub lunged onto his back asking for a piggy back ride. He agreed with a smile and a nod but not before seeing the poor condition of his old friend Julian. The Wolf that had been there the longest. Most would stay until about the age of eighteen or be adopted and leave. But Paster Jon Stevens had kind of taken Julian as his own child, Julian was the only wolf in the entire town, and if luck had it that a family wanted to adopt, they generally adopted within their species. The young Wolf was very tame, even when he had first found refuge at the house. He had been there for the better part of ten years and not a single parent had even considered him for adoption once, even though he was bright, well mannered and in good shape. So Jon had simply accepted him as his own. These thoughts took but the time of a blink as he saw Julian quietly trudging up the hard wood staircase toward his room in the hall.
"Piggy back ride!" the child on his back repeated.
"You mean Ottery back ride!" Paster Jon Stevens chuckled. He hefted the kid over his shoulder as another kid leaped onto his arm and another grabbed his leg. The Otter howled cheerfully as he toppled over from the kids playfully attacking him. He sat up with a smile and a fox child growling and bitting at his ear as he thought that he should check up on Julian after he had put the others to bed... But then there was a knock at the door, and Jon knew the knocking well. He frowned and eased the kids away with a gentle push as he stood up again. Even the kids knew the rapping, it was never good news...
Jon had shooed the kids up the stairs before he answered the door, but as always they remained out of sight peeking over the landing to the top stairs to listen in. Paster Stevens opened the door with a long stare at Detective Harneky, A lanky Airedale that looked as though he belonged in a smoke clouded Pool Hall rather then a long coat and a badge. The Canine tipped his fedora to the Paster with a nod.
"Evening Jon... I got some ruff news..." Harneky said with honest respect.
"Its never good news Detective... Not this late anyway..." Jon said as he offered him in.
"I know its late, but the Board has signed another over to you... Its complicated though..." Harneky said with a scratch to the back of his head. He removed his hat as they made their way into the kitchen.
"Coffee?" Jon offered with a cup to the Detective. "Its cold but you know how it is around here..." he chuckled as he started to clean up after the meal that was given as a bedtime snack to the kids.
"Lovely, thank you..." Harneky said as he took the cup and sipped the dark fluid inside. He made a face at the cup but cleared his throat. "But as I was saying Jon..."
"whats his name?" The Otter looked up from his dealings on the table, a weary smile on his face.
"How did you know it was a he?" The Canine asked surprised. The Otter only had to look once toward the hallway to see the other children peeking and listening in, his mere gaze causing them to retreat out of sight once more. Indeed they were all boys...
"Riiight..." Harneky chuckled under a sigh. "The boys name is James, James Holland."
"And whats the complication?" Jon asked as he brought a messy tray to the sink and moved back to the now clear table and leaned against it with his arms crossed.
"Well first off... He's mute..." The Detective said again scratching the back of his head.
"Is that what the board is calling Shock now a days..." Jon said seemingly to himself as he looked toward the ceiling fan.
"Yeah... And we know how much they love you Jon..." Harneky laughed.
"Is the board giving you trouble on my behalf again?" The Otter sighed "Do I have to wave the papers in their faces again?" He asked with a slight look of discomfort in his eyes. The Canine leaned in closer as to keep the words between them and only them.
"Would those be the papers of your War Honors, Clean Record and Study In Psychological Rehabilitation, Or..." The Canine trailed off as though he was reaching a really touchy subject. The Otter leaned in and shook his head.
"You know what I'm talking about..." He said with an uneasy look.
"Well odd things are happening with faith now a days and some people just don't know who is who anymore... I'm sure it won't be a problem though..." Harneky said as he changed the subject. "I know your an honest heart better then anyone in this town, After all... It was you that raised me..." He smiled as he put his paw out.
"And what a terror you were..." Jon chuckled a bit shaking the detective's paw, now becoming more at ease. They sat and talked while most of the kids became bored or sleepy and went back to their rooms for the night.
Upstairs Julian lay in his bed looking up at the ceiling, his eyes playing many things in his head as he wandered in thought. He was able to stabilize his thoughts in the hour given to him before he heard the soft steps of others quietly dashing into their rooms and closing the doors. He sat there and listened to the giggles behind the walls. It was good to know that they were happy, but it confused him why they were all wiry still and not fast to sleep yet. But soon even that died down and the night became peaceful once more. He was about to slip his head phones on and pass out himself when there were headlights from a car that showered into his room. He tilted his head to the side confused that there would be a visitor this late at night. He shook his head and rolled over trying to go back to sleep. But then he heard the womens voice. The same harsh women that had introduced Julian to the house and the same women that worked for the adoption agency. Julian growled slightly at the mere thought of her.
"Come on James... This way..." She said in a rather annoyed tone. Julian found himself peeking out the window with his ears flattened against his head. In the light he could see two figures, one that he knew was Lora... And the other he couldn't really tell, but they were stopped in front of the car.
"James!" The women repeated getting more harsh by the moment. Julian saw the kid take a step back. Julian knew the feeling, after all she was a rather large badger. But suddenly as Lora reached out to grab him, the other shadow dashed for the road. Julian tossed his covers off and he opened his window, rolling through the frame and grabbing a branch that eased his descent to the ground level. Julian dashed across the lawn after the new scent wearing only his baggy black pants that he had forgotten to take off.
"Julian!" Lora shrieked as he dashed by her.
"Your such a bitch..." Julian said, his words echoing in his wake. Lora frowned and went to get into her car and give chase when Paster Stevens put his gentle paw on her shoulder.
"Easy there Lora..." Jon smiled. She went to protest, but the caring look in Jon's eyes told her all that she needed to know. Julian was going to handle it again...
There was something so odd about the scent that Julian chased after. It was challenging to track, if it had not been for catching sight of the fur a few times Julian would have lost him. The Wolf gave chase as fast as his legs could carry him. The creature he was after was very much the same speed, causing Julian to narrow down what species it was, Either Canine or possibly reptile. If it had been a Feline or Hair they would have most likely completely out run him. Julian chuckled slightly at the memory of his friend Alex. A Cheetah that was adopted nearly three years ago to a good home, and still went to school with him to that day. Julian brought himself into a head long sprint as he curved into a yard, his bare paws kicking up grass and dirt with each stride. He saw a torn piece of clothing on the fence and he leaped for the top, grabbing with his paw tightly, he hoisted himself up and over the fence. Julian landed and paused catching his breath. It was then he saw it... Tangled black fur and piercing blue eyes painted with panic. Dressed in simply the clothing provided to him by the agency. His paws on his knees and his chest heaving in and out catching his own breath. He stood under the light near the street with his hair spiking forward as though a harsh wind had blown behind him, causing his hair stay this way regardless of which way he was heading.
"W-wait..." Julian coughed and started to slowly approach. Julian couldn't believe his eyes... It was another Wolf... It was that mere glance he could get before the Wolf was off running again.
"Son of a..." Julian rasped as he took off after him again. He found it funny that they seemed to only be going in circles, but suburban housing could do that even to some one that lived there their whole life. Julian knew the street well though, so he took a left and dashed to a short cut hoping that this James wouldn't change direction, and in fact he didn't... Julian charged him while he was catching his breath and looking around lost. Before the other Wolf knew it he was on the flat of his back and Julian was sitting on top of him pinning each of his shoulders to the pavement. Julian looked into the smaller Jame's eyes and laughed.
"Names Julian..." he said rather calmly through his panting. "And we have to get back before what ever ruckus we made causes the police to come looking..." Julian said with a soft whisper into the newcomers ear. Julian saw the look on his face go from panic to utter sadness as he sat up and clung himself to Julian, His fingers tangling into Julian's bare fur. It was only at that moment that it occurred to Julian that he must have not seen that he was a Wolf until he was given such a close look.
"O-or we can get this part over with..." Julian tittered as he sat awkwardly off balance straddled over James, hugging his head and running his paw through the Wolf's head fur. It was common for creatures that were new to the house to brake down at some point or another, but this one seemed to get it over with quicker then most. As bad as Julian felt that he was even there, He couldn't help but to feel the overwhelming joy of seeing another wolf. It was the first contact that he had with one since his own mother. He rested his chin between the Wolf's ears who quietly sobbed into his chest. Julian felt something right in this. Holding him so that no others could see his tears, they were Jame's and no one else's to see. And Julian felt right hiding him like that from the empty street. Luckily... No one had called the police. It was just them under the street lights... In a Peaceful town, on a clear night... In Sunnyvale...
Julian walked beside James with the back of his head resting in his paws as they made their way back to the Foster Home, lights cascading over them as they took their time. Jame's eyes had dried for the moment, leaving an awkward silence between them.
"So... How old are you? James, right?" Julian asked with a look out of the corner of his eye. He was surprised to see that the kid shook his head slightly. Julian's tail started to sway side to side with interest as his attention stayed focused on the new Wolf.
"Sage... I'm Sixteen..." He whispered so softly that if it had not been for Julian's sensitive perked ears he would have missed it.
"Thought that women called you James..." Julian said seemingly to himself.
"James is my brothers name..." Sage said in a voice that was so gentle that it was hard to catch again.
"Sage huh?.." Julian said with a yawn. "And how old is your brother?" Julian asked expecting to see another wolf once they got back to the house.
"He's twenty eight..." Julian found his voice soothing, most of the kids were loud, but This Sage was very soft spoken.
"Twenty eight? Then why aren't you living with him?" Julian asked quietly as his tail stopped swaying, a bit afraid of the answer.
"I... I don't know..." Sage said with his gaze falling to the floor.
"Did he toss you out or something?" Julian asked now becoming more annoyed at someone that he knew nothing of.
"N-no... These people... They just came to my house and..." Sage trailed off.
"Shit..." Julian cursed as his insides started to turn. He felt like he was going to be sick, but he kept a strong gaze a head of himself. It came down to one thing... Sage had no one left... And they hadn't even told him what happened yet. The board over looked a lot of things like explanations and they didn't seem to care to change that even since Julian had been brought to the house, why should they when they made a four digit paycheck at the end of the month, and had a warm home and family to come home to...
"So they've been calling you by your brothers name then..." Julian said distantly, unable to hide his building feelings of dread. He knew once they got home that Paster Stevens would have a talk with him... It was inevitable.
"I don't even know why I'm here... I need to find my brother..." Sage said, his words plastered with worry. Julian didn't know what to say to that, he only walked beside him quietly deep in thought as they made their way up the long driveway... Paster Stevens was standing on the porch with Detective Harneky, and Julian thanked the gods that Lora had left already. He hated that women more then most would know.
"Julian... James..." Jon started to speak.
"His names Sage, Jon..." Julian corrected sternly as he walked to the door past Mr. Stevens.
"Really... Well alright Sage..." Jon smiled hesitantly to the new Wolf. Julian saw the discomfort in Sage as he stood on the porch in front of the Paster.
"Sage, When you feel like going to sleep you can come to my room, I'll sleep on the floor tonight..." Julian said with his eyes unmoving from the door. Sage looked confused to the Paster and back to Julian. "Paster Stevens is alright, you don't have to worry. He's not like that bitch that brought you here..." Julian said as he opened the door.
"Julian, She's just doing her job... Please watch your mouth..." Jon said.
"I'll watch my mouth when she does her damn job..." Julian rasped as he closed the door behind him.
"I..." Sage spoke up and Jon's attention shot to the young frightened Wolf amazed that Julian had gotten him to speak. The Detective has said that he refused to talk to anyone at all. It must have been that he didn't trust any of them. "I'll be spending the night?" Sage asked innocently as he tilted his head.
"Y-yeah... for a while son..." Jon said as he gently rocked back and forth on the porch bench swing. "Why didn't you talk to any of them?" Jon asked interested.
"M-my brother James told me to never talk to strangers, and..." His words trailed off.
"Son... Come here... I need to talk to you about your Brother James..." Jon said gently as he nervously rubbed at the back of his neck.
"It never gets any easier... Does it Jon..." Julian said quietly to himself as he waited behind the closed door to the porch. He could hear Sage sobbing as Paster Stevens had to tell him about the accident that had claimed the life of his older brother and his mate. How everything he owned had been taken away and sold by the banks. But Jon made it very clear that he was going to look after him, that the place was open at all times. How the other kids were there for him. And if he wanted to he could sign himself up to be adopted, knowing that maybe some day a family would come along and sweep him away back into a life of normality. Julian could hear through Sage's tears how he didn't want another family, how he only wanted his brother and sister in law back. Julian had to leave after hearing that, knowing so well how he felt. He padded his way up the stairs and grabbed a pillow from the linen closet and opened his door. He fixed the sheets on his bed and grabbed his headphones and CD player and laid down on the hard floor with his eyes shut, resting his head on his paws. He could feel the burn in his legs and body from running, he could literally tell how hard Sage was trying to find his older brother. He played with his lip ring, rotating it causing the small bead that clasped it together to gently slide over his lip. His music was playing in his head and his thoughts were moving way too fast for him to sleep. He was happy to see another actual Wolf besides the ones he saw on television and in movies... But not like this... like always... It just wasn't right...
It was around three in the morning by the time that Julian's door was closed behind Sage, and the exhausted Wolf stood in the room for a moment before walking with heavy steps to Julian's bed. He seemed to fall with the weight of the world on his shoulders to the mattress, only to curl up into a ball as though he was freezing to death. Julian looked up and watched the slender wolf upside down in his gaze. Through his music he could see his shoulders twitch, he knew he was crying still, after such a shock who wouldn't be... Julian sat up on his elbows thinking as clearly as he could. He got to his foot paws and walked out into the hall and into the bathroom. He grabbed a glass and filled it with water and walked back to his room he set the glass down on his night stand in front of Sage and grabbed his pillow. He laid down next to him, facing away from Sage and felt sleep overtake him as he pulled his headphones down to around his neck. This way maybe Sage could hear it too. Hearing anything was better then silence, and Julian knew this all too well...
The morning was as hectic as ever for Paster Stevens as he ran about the house getting the kids ready for school. Though he was tired he gave no show of it to the kids. It was like it was another wonderful morning in Sunnyvale. He had a little tiger cub in his left arm as he buttoned the shirt of the Coyote he was kneeling in front of. He looked over his shoulder and told one of the kids to get off the table and get ready for school, though this was hard to speak with a clothespin in his mouth. He scooted the younger kids back into the common room and went up stairs to get the older kids that might have missed the bus earlier that morning. His thoughts fell to Julian and Sage. It was strange for Julian to invite him to spend the night in his room, though not entirely unexpected. Sage was after all the first Wolf in this town for a very long time save for Julian himself. He was surprised to see the door cracked slightly. He poked his head in and saw the normal glow of the room from the rising run, washing the room in a gray haze with dust partials that seemed to dance in the wake of the dreams that rested in the room. He tilted his head as he saw them in the bed together, Julian's body was visibly pressed against Sage's through the thin sheets. Jon saw that Julian had his arms around the smaller Wolf and was holding him in such a way that felt as though he was protecting him. There was a half full glass of water on Julian's night stand and the room was quiet save for the gentle throb of Julian's headset around his neck. He saw Sage gently pull Julian's arm as to deepen the embrace, and he was fast to sleep once more. He saw Julian's eye half open and close again.
"I'm sick... Go away..." Julian mumbled to Jon.
"I don't think so Julian..." Jon whispered with a smile. "But I'll inform the school of your twenty four hour bug anyway..." He laughed quietly as he closed the door.
"It won't become a habit..." Julian assured completely exhausted as the door locked into place closed.
Paster Stevens knew he shouldn't let Julian stay home, but he was more then attentive at school, and having him there was going to help Sage more then being alone for a bit. And Jon knew this. He would get a bed for Sage later and put it in Julian's room. The Otter checked all the rooms and saw that no one else had missed the bus, so he made a phone call to Julian's school and took the others off to were they needed to be.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Julian felt warm, not over heated or summer warm, but like something felt so right. Like the way sheets conform to your body during the winter and you just want to settle in forever. He was startled as he realized that the conformed sheets moved slightly. His eyes snapped open and he realized that his arm was around some one. Then the night before came crashing back into his thoughts. He was so closely holding Sage, and it was odd how well he fit to his body. Sage's head lay on Julian's arm like a pillow under his neck. He could see the tear trails from his sadness still wet even now. Julian tried to think of a way to move with out disturbing Sage so he could go to the bathroom. What was worse was that he had a bad case of morning wood pressing right up against the curve of Sage's butt. He realized that through his underwear that the shaft was snuggly pressed between the cheeks that hugged either side of his throbbing member. He shook his head as he realized that he didn't want to deal with the idea of Sage waking up to this. He started to move and he heard the door open to his room. It was Paster Stevens, And Julian could tell by his kind scent. He had already put his groggy head back down pretending to be asleep. He opened a blurry eye and looked right at Jon.
"I'm sick... Go away..." he mumbled, worried that if he were to get up that the Paster would see that he had an erection. Although he acted to be still dead asleep, he was wide awake.
"I don't think so Julian..." Jon said gently with a smile that could charm a blind Mole.
"Oh god... Oh god... Oh god... Don't come in here and rip the sheets off like you always do..." Julian prayed silently to himself. His head was stirring, worried that the slightest movement might awaken Sage and the already collecting noise might awaken him too, and Paster Stevens tearing the sheets off and finding out about the embarrassing predicament he was in.
"But I'll inform the school of your twenty four hour bug anyway..." He said with a laugh.
"It won't become a habit..." Julian mumbled relived that the situation was getting better. He rolled his piercing in his lip trying to stay calm.
The door slowly closed and Julian wondered quickly how he should part himself from the Wolf that was in his arms. Either slowly as to not awaken him and risk his ill placed loins being discovered, or jump out of bed having no chance of being caught, but abruptly waking the Wolf to another day away from his well needed rest. It was then that Sage let out a gentle moan as his rump pressed harder against Julian's pulsing Wolfhood, rubbing the warm crevice of Sage's butt against the length of Julian's most sensitive area. Julian's eyes sprang open as a present and eager feeling built up into his hips and dick. His whole body nearly went stiff as Sage shifted in place repeating the motion twice before settling back down again. Julian realized that he had tightened his grip on the sylphlike Wolf, and he couldn't understand for the life of him why that had felt so good. He twisted this hoop in his lip some more as he diligently parted his hips from Sage's and realized that his tip had remained there a bit longer then he would have liked as he slowly took his arm out from under the sightly smaller Wolf. Once free he sat up on his elbows and cocked a brow at Sage, peacefully sleeping under the sheets. He scratched the back of his head causing his head fur there to remain spiked. It reminded him that he needed a shower and he could only wonder how he had gotten in that position with him over the coarse of the night. He took his headphones off and looked down at his morning wood pitching a tent in his boxers wile again rolling the silver loop in his lip.
"You like that eh?" He said groggily to himself and another look to Sage out of the corner of his eye. "Fucking weirdo..." He sighed with his eyes closed speaking to his bobbing erection while he stood up and grabbed his towel and went for the door.
The music was playing loudly from the radio in the bathroom as the water rushed over Julian's body. His eyes were tightly shut as he bobbed his head to the beat of the music quietly moving his lips to the lyrics of the song. It was indeed another morning, it was strange for Jon to let him off from school like that though, but he knew that he understood some how. To finally meet another Wolf, as well as most likely the ability to read Julian before all the ruckus of having a ruff night. Paster Stevens was amazing like that. He was really like a mother in many ways. Either from his grace of helping or to even just his warm eye contact. Julian had other things on his mind though. The odd morning with Sage was almost too much to handle so he just put it in the back of his mind as a fluke. But it kept coming back to him no matter how many times he put it out of his mind. He shook his head and opened the shower blinds, but seeing the door to the bathroom open caused him to retreat back into the stall.
"I-I'm in here!" Julian said, his voice cracking slightly. In came Sage casually at first but his posture switching from groggy to Shy at the sight of Julian poking his head out of the shower.
"G-good morning?" Sage said as if he was confused at something being wrong with it.
"W-well... I..." Julian fumbled with his words as Sage closed the door behind himself and started to undress rather calmly. Julian panicked and grabbed for his towel and wrapped it around himself blushing franticly.
"Whats wrong?" Sage asked taken back.
"I... Was just leaving so that you could use the shower..." Julian said confused beyond anything.
"Oh... Alright..." Sage said in a soft spoken tone and blinking a few times surprised. Julian excused himself to the hall with an awkward smile to Sage as he passed. Outside he leaned against the wall with his eyes wide and a paw over his forehead with his hair straggling like wires to his muzzle. He was completely taken off guard by that. Had Sage found the bathroom by his scent or something?
It took Julian less time then normal to get dressed, throwing on a white fishnet shirt and his black UFO pants. He put on his hoodie that matched his pants and rolled up the sleeves and left it un zipped. He thought it right to leave some clothing out for Sage. He was pulling different bits of clothing out and looking them over, holding them in front of himself in his mirror, trying to picture himself as Sage and trying to find something that fit. He caught himself thinking that some things might even look attractive on him. He sighed and ended up placing a horizontally striped black and purple shirt on his bed. He knew it was tight and would stretch to his own body showing his figure. so he thought it would fit well enough. Most of his upper clothing was of an emo like fashion, but he never really considered himself like that. He enjoyed the fact that he could earn money here and there doing odd jobs and getting his own clothing. Most of his pants were baggy because he liked the comfort of the given space. He placed his dark blue Ghast pants folded next to the shirt and threw a pair of boxers on top of the pants and left his own belt there. He finished drying his head fur and clasped his normal trinkets on his arms, he gave a kiss to his fathers ring that hung around his neck from a thread that he never took off and he made his way down stairs to make something to eat.
As he made his way into the kitchen he saw that Paster Stevens was already in there. He looked at Julian and smiled as he reached for a glass and handed it to the Wolf as he passed.
"Dumb question... But how is he?" Jon asked as he turned around and leaned against the counter on his elbows to face Julian as he poured him self a glass of orange juice.
"Weird..." Julian chuckled into his cup as he drank.
"Really? How so?" Jon asked with a tilted head.
"He walked into the bathroom while I was showering..." Julian said as he closed the refrigerator with his foot behind himself.
"That might not be as strange as you think Julian..." Jon smiled. His whiskers fanning out with his grin.
"Huh?" Julian said in mid gulp, spiting his orange drink back into his clear glass. "What?!" Julian gasped.
"Julian, you've never been around your own kind before so theres a lot that you can learn from him..." Jon said as he looked to his side and turned a page of a magazine.
"I guess..." Julian said as he took out two bowls and reached for the cereal. "Jon, when are you going to buy a good breakfast cereal?" Julian asked. He asked it every morning, not because he was ungrateful, but because Paster Stevens always gave him a different answer. It had become a small joke between them.
"I could get those frosted kinds, but do you really want the young'uns to be powered up on that stuff?" He asked with a sly grin.
"Mmm... Cardboard... its good for me..." Julian joked in an apathetic tone agreeing to Jon's answer as he poured the cornflakes.
"Good boy, eat your cardboard..." Jon chuckled with a pat to Julian's back as he passed by to get the milk. He saw Julian pause and nearly drop the carton of milk as he was looking into the dining room. Jon walked to his side wondering what had painted the look of surprise on the pups face.
There Sage was, standing in Julian's clothing, his hair still damp from the shower and his paw shyly placed under his ear. The collar of the long sleeve resting close to his shoulders and the sleeves mostly covering his paws, save for his finger tips. There was something very feminine about the Wolf, and surprisingly he carried himself well in this way. It was surprisingly fitting...
"Not another one..." Jon chuckled as he put his fingers to the bridge of his nose near his eyes.
"Another what?" Julian asked distantly as his eyes stayed glued to Sage. Julian could have never guessed that the clothing would have looked so stunning on Sage. But he was questioning weather or not if that was his intent while selecting the outfit. He reached out the carton of milk to Sage who looked at it confused. Paster Stevens took the carton and flicked Julian on the nose going back to the bowls and pouring some into each.
Julian caught himself and shook his head.
"Morning Sage, how was the shower?" he smiled.
"Lonely..." Sage laughed nervously.
"What!?" Julian asked taken back.
"If I'm not mistaken, its not odd for Wolves to bath together. Right Sage?" Jon asked as he handed a Bowl to the shorter wolf. Who nodded with a raised brow.
"Yes, I didn't think it strange. But you seemed to be frightened of me." Sage said to Julian, who really didn't have an answer or any words at all to really react with.
"Well you see Sage, Julian was raised here. Your the first Wolf he's had contact with since he was very young." Jon explained as he sat down at the table with his magazine. The two Wolves sat at the table next to each other and Julian started munching away at his breakfast. Jon took note at the way Sage seemed to be waiting for Julian to finish before he started to eat. It was just like the way Detective Harneky had said it would be.
"I just... He slept well enough next to me..." Sage said innocently. Julian almost lost the food in his mouth as they spoke.
"Thats only natural, From what I've learned Wolves are pack animals, so there are many things that I don't understand, I'll learn to live with these things now that your here though..." Jon smiled. "But lets keep the showering to one at a time please?" He added under his breath.
"I see..." Sage whispered under his breath and looked shyly to Julian who was stuffing his muzzle with his food, already almost at the point of gulping down the milk in the bowl. "I-I'm sorry if I startled you Julian..." He said with a weary smile and a gentle paw on his knee. Julian looked at him out of the corner of his eye frozen in place with the bowl tilted up in his mouth and milk nearly dripping from the edge of his muzzle. He gulped down what was left and whipped his mouth on his arm.
"Its cool man, I've just got to learn a few things too I guess..." Julian laughed. He didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but he wanted to meet Sage half way on a normal life. So he slipped his paw under the table and held Sage's paw tightly with a smile, tangling their fingers together. He saw a warm smile slip across Sage's lips. Julian almost felt natural doing this, and so he guessed it was the right thing to do. Also it was the first time he had seen him smile.
Paster Stevens was actually glad for the oddity's between them. It was helping Sage keep his mind off the recent tragic loss of his family. It wasn't that it was absent, his sorrow was very blatant, But occupying his mind was the best thing at the moment. He thought about what Detective Harneky had said. The reason that Sage was brought here. It was simply that Julian was here, It was documented that Wolves at a young age losing their loved ones caused them enough pain to either give up on life, or worse find a means to end their own lives. Jon had read all about it and it wasn't pretty. But this whole time, He couldn't get it out of his head why Julian had been alright. How he had matured with out a problem or even gave any sign of such grief.
"Has Paster Stevens always looked after you?" Sage asked, his tail swaying slowly with interest. It was also the first time Julian had seen his tail move, the term graceful quickly came to mind.
"Yeah, He's looked after me for better or worse, I only give him hell to keep him on his toes..." Julian said with a grin to Jon. Paster Stevens smiled not looking up from the pages as his silent question had been answered. Julian had always had him, and thats why he was able to have a relatively normal life. Jon laughed a bit as he saw the difference in their eating habits. As Julian would scarf down almost anything when hungry, Sage seemed to take his time, enjoying each bite. Or he was simply being polite, regardless there was something very different about the two, and yet so similar...
"I'll be putting an extra bed into your room Julian, if you don't mind." Jon said as he turned a page.
"What for?" Sage asked into the back of his paw, attempting not to talk with his mouth full.
"So you can sleep in it..." Julian chuckled as he rocked back and forth on his tipped back chair.
"Thats strange... Theres already a bed there for us..." Sage said innocently. Julian out of sheer surprise tipped a bit too far back on his chair and crashed to his back side on the hard wood floor.
"Julian, I told you that would happen one day!" Jon laughed as Julian's legs kicked futile to get upright again.
"Shut up! I pinned my tail..." Julian growled in pain as his tail was stuck under the chair. Sage gently helped Julian up again. The taller Wolf shook himself over and gave an odd look to Sage who was giggling with his eyes closed.
"What ever..." Julian rasped as he looked away with his arms crossed. Jon remained silent, he was simply watching them out of the corner of his eye to learn about this new behavior he saw in Julian.
Julian went rigged as he felt the base of his tail taken tenderly into two soft paws. He snapped his gaze to see Sage looking over where the chair had landed on his tail. Normally he would have felt really sore about someone touching his tail so close to the base but Sage had this compassionate smile that made him sit still as Sage inspected the likely bruised area.
Jon watched as Julian's eyes went from frantic to calm. There was something that was already happening to Julian that Jon had never seen. First off, Julian always slept alone in his room since he was of the age of fourteen when Alex had become adopted. Aside from the younger kids that lived there that loved to climb on the Wolf, Julian disliked any sort of physical contact what so ever. Even during doctor appointments he either had to be tied down by Jon's belt or promised a boon of some sort for cooperating. Jon really didn't expect the reaction of calming down like that from the Wolf.
"Its going to bruise, but I think that you'll be alright." Sage said with an honest look of relief.
"Y-yeah..." Julian said distantly while looking Sage in the eyes.
Julian couldn't explain it to even himself. Why was he strangely comfortable with Sage's touch. The way he held his tail, or the way he kept eye contact with him after checking him over. There was something so pure about Sage. Like there was no such thing as dishonesty, he was so docile that Julian couldn't think of any reason that he could ever be angry with him.
"If you two are done, I've got some chores for you two being that your missing school today." Paster Stevens said interrupting the moment. Sage blushed with a smile as he stood up again with his paw resting at the back of his head. Julian's ears flattened as he itched at his eyebrow.
"Sure..." Julian mumbled.
Through out the day they went about doing chores, cleaning the windows, washing dishes, doing laundry and sweeping the floors. Jon watched them intently as they chatted and went about doing these things. What Jon found most interesting was the way that when ever Julian would get frustrated, Sage would talk to him, or even put a paw on his arm to calm him down, Some times all it took was a giggle from the slightly smaller Wolf. Jon could see that Julian was troubled deeply inside though, his emotions were fluctuating quickly and there was a drastic change in his mood when ever Sage came to his attention. He also saw how hard it was for him to avoid asking about the life that Sage use to have with a family and how they lived. It was clear to Julian that these questions could wait, and with them living in the same room it wouldn't be long before they were answered. Jon also had the sneaking suspicion that the reason Sage was so attentive to Julian was to escape the feeling of sheer abandonment on his brother's behalf. As they worked Jon placed a bed on the other side of Julian's room were Alex's bed use to be. The fact was that it was indeed Alex's old bed when he had lived there. He put fresh sheets and a spare pillow on the bed and left the room.
As day turned to sunset, the kids found their way home. Julian and Sage were sleeping on the sofa exhausted from working all day when the noise started. Jon saw Julian sit up barely able to open his eyes. Jon admitted to himself that all the work was for study of how they reacted to each other, but maybe he had gone a bit overboard on the X factor of how much work was done. He watched as Julian yawned and stood up, as Julian gently shook Sage awake from his slightly kicking dreams and took him by the paw leading him groggily up stairs toward their room. Sage was mumbling something as he brushed a knuckle under his eye, but Jon couldn't catch what was said over the noise. It was then his attention went to the rumbling belles of the kids that hopped up and down around him...
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Such strange blackness there was... painted all around the room that Julian stood in... the walls were covered by what seemed to be tar... thick and evil... he pressed his paw against the suffice and tilted his head to the surprise that the Vile substance was more like a resin of some sort... Julian hated the darkness around him... It was lonesome and it frightened him... He punched the wall out of frustration and saw that his paw had cracked the surface of one of the many layers... He knew this dream very well... It happened often... But it was new to him that the resin was solid and now breakable... He heard the gentle moan of some one... just beyond the wall... He knew it was Sage... For some reason he could just tell... he could feel it... franticly he attacked the dark wall... He punched and clawed, his eyes wide and his face in sheer panic... He had to brake through... To get to Sage... He pulled his fist back, felt his body tense and felt himself throw a perfect punch into the wall, causing it to crack and allowing light to sprinkle in from the other side... upon impact of the thud the wall made, his eyes opened to the same sound of the front door being slammed shut...
Julian lay on the sofa with his arm over Sage. The Wolf took in his surroundings and sighed deeply remembering he had been dreaming. The other kids were home and causing all sorts of noise. It was then he felt the piercing in his lip moving with a warm wet feeling just at his chin. He tilted his head and realized that Sage was sleeping and nibbling at his lip ring. Julian looked lazily to the ceiling and felt his ears flatten. It was a strange sensation, but he had to admit it felt really good. The way Sage's warm saliva seemed to lubricate the rotating ring. Julian found himself just glad that Sage was alright, the fact that he was right there had calmed him down. He didn't understand why he had become so frantic in his dreams that he was not there, but that meant little to him now that Sage was there next to him...
Julian gently rubbed at Sage's shoulder and awakened him from his slightly kicking dreams. Sage gently opened his eyes and released the small ring from his mouth, as his lips parted there was a tiny trail of drool running from the piercing to Sage's open mouth that Julian cut with a lick of his tongue. He went to apologize when Julian simply grazed their cheeks together holding him. Sage sighed and snuggled deeper into Julian for just a moment before Julian sat up and yawned. He gently helped Sage to his feet and started to lead them to the bedroom upstairs. Julian had an odd feeling that he didn't want the kids climbing all over them and causing too much clatter. Julian felt his heart become heavy as Sage spoke sleepily while they walked.
"I was dreaming of him..." He said as he rubbed under his eyes. Julian didn't have to say anything as they got upstairs. He closed the door behind them and put his arms around the younger Wolf. Sage had been coping very well all day, and Julian knew that it would take some time before he could deal well with all the noise of the one's down stairs. Julian could feel Sage grasping to his body, as though Julian was in place of Sage's Brother...
"J-Julian?" Sage uttered sleepily into the Wolf's chest...
"Hmm?" Julian lured as he placed his chin between Sage's pinned back ears...
"A-are..." Sage paused, though tired this question seemed to mean a lot to him as his grasp tightened with Julian's embrace. "Are you... ever going to disappear?" He asked, Julian could hear the crack in his voice as Sage seemed to be fighting back tears.
"I'm here Sage... For you... And I'm Not Going Anywhere..." Julian said as he guided their clinging embrace to the bed. Their strides were a bit clumsy, but it was expected being that both were still exhausted. They fell to the bed with out parting and Julian placed them in their position that they were in that morning., except his paw was running it's way through Sage's head fur. "I Promise..." he whispered. He looked to the clock and saw that Jon would need his help in an hour or so with the kids... But he figured a bit more rest with Sage couldn't hurt...
A whole week had passed by with out Julian's notice as he took his time with Sage to get to know him. Sage was willing to live up to a few changes in the new house, but some changes seemed to just never make any sense to him. For instance he refused the empty bed on the other side of the room every night. Though Jon had asked him on many occasions to sleep in a separate bed then Julian's, the Otter would find them together by morning one way or another. It was not until a few months after that he had simply given up and taken the bed out of the room entirely. When they were in the same area it was like they were attached at the hip, were one would go the other seemed to follow. When Sage was off doing something, he rarely left eye shot of Julian. As to Julian who always seemed to have one of his ears open to Sage's direction. Over the months Paster Stevens started to realize that Sage had even started to make friends. Alex in particular being that he always visited. It was quite an uproar when Sage had first met the Cheetah with long dreadlocks. He had been terrified of Alex until Julian came home, locking himself in their room until Julian forced open the door. It was apparent that this was the first time that Sage had seen many of the other kinds of creatures in the world. But Julian helped his transition over the seasons as he met new students and as he got to see new places. Sage became a big help around the Foster Home, and Julian only further helped around the place as always. and as Julian and Sage aged, Julian's body had matured as a wolf should, he filled out and had developed some muscle. As to Sage who became only slightly taller, but retained his slender body and feminine demeanor. Though Julian's hair stayed the same, falling to about his chin, Sage had allowed his hair to grow falling to about his waist only further causing his appearance to look girlish. Even now at the age of eighteen, some of the store owners in town seemed to catch them selfs asking "Can I Help You Miss?" And Sage would only shake his head with a blush when this happened. He had said that he wanted to grow his hair out like his brother's but he was slightly discouraged to find out that his hair was finer then his honored relative. Julian liked it though, he always braided it back for him when they had work to do around the house.
Neither of them had been considered for adoption, but this never seemed to bother them in the least. Paster Stevens found their help around the house invaluable. As Julian cut wood or did some of the heavier work, Sage tended to the kids and even cooked for everyone. Even Paster Stevens had to admit, Sage's cooking had become far better then his own, to the point that the kids refused his cooking and would only eat the Wolf's meals that he would come up with. Paster Stevens had asked a few of his secrets, but the wolf always winked and said that he just had to mold what he was doing with a dash of love. It was like a dream for a very long time that seemed to pass so quickly... But as I Said Before... Its The Illusion Of Safety That Allows Trouble To Get The Drop On You... Most Often When You Are Most Vulnerable...
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As light sprinkled into the bedroom of the two wolves, they were already awake, watching the sunrise. Sage Snuggled into Julian's chest and sighed as the larger wolf traced his paw through his back fur.
"They'll be awake soon hun..." Sage whispered. The pet name was for Julian when no one else was around. He never really thought much of it because Sage was so natural in saying it. He figured it was another form of affection that was only between them, Playful at best. Julian licked the ring in his lip and rolled over Sage throwing the blanket over their heads.
"Five more minuets..." He mumbled. He heard Sage giggle and press his muzzle under his chin.
"It was five more minuets, ten minuets ago..." Sage smiled as Julian's paw gently moved to his neck and softly scratched at his chest, causing Sage to crane his neck gasp weakly with his eyes closed. Julian never understood why his touch did this to him in the morning, but he couldn't deny to himself that he enjoyed every sound that Sage made. The smaller wolf rolled out from under Julian and straddled his lap and started slapping at his chest with a giggle.
"Its time to get up you dork!" He growled playfully with a blush and his tail wagging. When he had stopped Julian just watched the way the light sparkled through Sage's hair as it blocked the painful lights of the morning from view.
"What?" Sage asked with a tilt of his head.
"When are you going to grow into your ears..." Julian smiled. It was true that his soft ears had remained a bit larger then normal. But the larger wolf like to tease him for it.
"Alright, enough! Get up!" Sage sighed and brushed their cheeks together. He got up having the blankets fall off his hips reviling his naked body. There was no oddity to this, no discomfort nor did it at all feel embarrassing. Sage lowered an open paw to Julian to help him up. Just the way he stood was a lot like a girl, the way his hips would move when he walked or stayed to one side when motionless. Julian laughed at this. There were a lot of kids that tried to pick on him sure... but...
Sage helped Julian upright, showing the jagged scar on his shoulder that looked like it was made from a shark hook, a few bruises through out his body and a chip taken out of his ear. At the age of nineteen Julian had been in quiet a few brawls. Even more so since Sage felt safe with him, and he knew that regardless of what happened, no matter how bad the situation got... Julian would be there for him. The larger wolf would do as he pleased, even if it meant braking a law or two. And in return Julian had no question in his mind that Sage would be there to patch him up after he suffered the consequences. Through it all Julian had remained handsome, rugged in a sense with the fur tattoo under his eye that was the symbol for 'Stoic Love" in Old Wolf Script that looked much like a tribal scaring tattoo. But he retained his boyish good looks.
"You go shower and I'll make breakfast. When your out you can watch the kids as I wash up." Sage giggled as he went to get dressed. He threw on the Stripped black and purple shirt that Julian had given him that still revealed his slender neck and the edges of his shoulders. But since he had grown it left his smooth stomach in plain view but still covered his hands to the finger tips. Sage knew that Julian loved it when he wore it, being that it was his first gift to him. Julian shook himself over causing his fur to stand on end. He loved to shake like that, it just loosened him up a bit. As Sage was looking in the mirror over their dresser putting his ear rings into his ears, with his lower half exposed, Julian trudged past him naked with a towel in his paw. Sage giggled when Julian exited the room, but not before grabbing the edge of his tail to remind him to move it. Sage was shy some times and Julian would quietly remind him that it was a good day by gently taking the end of his tail in paw and wagged it back and forth.
Julian mumbled to himself as always while walking down the hall. It was still early yet and none of the younger kids would be up yet. At some point Jon had moved all the younger kids to the lower level and all the kids above the age of seventeen up stairs. There were only a few now that lived there. He heard the shower running and knocked on the door.
"Out in a sec!' Came the familiar voice of a dear friend of Julian's. A moment passed before the sound of the water stopped and the sound of the fur driers could be heard. It didn't take long before the door opened and an athletic fox came to view.
"Sup Alpha Dog..." He chuckled and clasped a paw with Julian that parted with a snap.
"Morning Jake..." The wolf said with a sigh and a grin.
"You up to make some money today?" Jake asked with a cocked brow while fixing his towel around his waist.
"I'm "Up" to take my morning shower first..." Julian laughed with a shake of his head still kind of groggy from waking up.
"Right..." Jake smiled and let the naked wolf pass by to start his morning habits. "Listen its Saturday so I'm going to head around for work, see if anyone needs to have their lawns cut or something." He said as he started to close the door behind himself.
"Fine..." Was all Julian could respond with as he was trimming his claws down. Naturally they almost became talon like if they went unkept.
After the door had been closed Jake went to his room and threw on his messy denim slacks and his black undershirt. He spiked back his head fur to make it look like knives spiking back from his head, and gave himself a wink in the mirror. He exited the room and closed the door with a swift paw and skipped a few steps going down the stairs, and by a few I mean all the steps. He landed with a thud and a grin. He could smell Sage's cooking and his fox tail swept back and forth playfully in his crouched stance.
"Eggs and toast Jake!" Sage said from the other room. "And try not to wake everyone with you next time..." He said quieter, but in full knowledge that Jake could hear him. The Fox marched into the room like a robot with his arms and legs stiff and started to walk into Sage while the smaller wolf was cooking who was now fully dressed.
"J....Jake!" Sage whined with a blush and a smile. Jake had a grate deal of ADHD, and it was one of the reasons that he had never been adopted. But it wasn't annoying or anything just strange.
"Feed Fox... Fox go to work..." he said in a mocking robot voice.
"Give me a few minutes Jake..." Sage said with a duck of his head.
"Consumption is required... Feed now..." He responded in the same mono tone voice. But what was funny was that he got a response in the same tone from behind them.
"Good Morning... Jake... Let Sage Cook..." Paster Stevens said with a smile and grabbed the fox by the back ruff of his neck.
"Error..." Jake laughed in his normal voice as he was plopped down in his seat. He crossed his arms and waited.
"Good morning Jon..." Sage nodded with a smile. They went about their normal morning goofing off until the kitchen was packed with hungry kids all grabbing plates and cups filling their stomachs for the day of play ahead. At some point Julian had finished his shower and Sage had disappeared to clean himself up. Jake had dragged Julian out of the house with a half eaten bit of toast in his mouth as they went off to find some work to help out the things they needed for the place, like food. It wasn't like they were on hard times but Paster Stevens knew that if it wasn't for the other older kids working and helping out the place would be awful and miserable to live in. Jake had even taken a roofing job so he could learn how to repair the damaged roof at the foster home. Regardless if things continued with the economy the fate of the foster home was going to get very hard. But yes there was balance in this wonderful home... A brand new day at Sunnyvale...
Sage bounced down the steps after his shower and he kept his towel around his neck. He walked into the kitchen where Jon was sitting at the messy table with a cup of coffee in his paw reading the paper as always. Sage looked to the counter and saw the cup of tea that he had made for him.
"Thank you Jon..." He smiled as he took the cup and say down at the table still working the towel around his ears to dry them.
"We have a bunch to do today..." Jon said under a breath.
"I know, but there's plenty of time. Soon Alex will be here to help you and I'll watch the kids..." Sage said quietly as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah..." Jon smiled. There was a moment where they just shared the morning as all fourteen of the younger kids played in the back yard and the older kids were out with friends or working. Every weekend morning they did this. But this beautiful morning was shattered by a few words that came out of Sage's mouth suddenly as he held his tea in both paws and looked at the table distantly...
"Jon... I think I love him..."
"Fuck, that was close..." Jake said as he had just swerved around a bit of traffic.
"I thought that we were going to wreck man..." Julian chuckled with his paw over his heart holding the bar above him in Paster Steven's jeep that Jake would often take for work.
"Funny..." Jake mumbled.
They pulled into the driveway for the person that had hired them and went about working, pulling a lawn mower from the jeep as well as a few gardening supplies and went on about their work. As Jake was pushing the powered machine and cut down the blades of grass Julian started clipping the hedges. The husband watched delighted from the upper window where their kitchen was drinking his morning coffee. Julian nodded to him with a wave knowing that he trusted their work. It felt really good to be respected and it felt even better to get a full days work in and make a few bucks while at it.
After a while the lawn was done so all they needed to do was rake up the clippings and they could go home with fifty dollars each to their name. Julian was delighted that he would be able to give most of it to Jon, but even more excited that had saved up enough to bring Sage to the mall or something to get him a present. It had been a while since he was able to do that. Suddenly his ears flattened when he heard a shout from the house next door. He glared over his shoulder and he felt his hackles rise. He knew exactly who it was, and who it was at. Glen, a very polite Rat from school. And the shouting was from his father, who was likely the worst father for towns around. Julian had recently noticed a bruise on the kids body while changing at the locker rooms during gym. He knew that he never got picked on, lord knows the kid knew how to disappear. Julian stood up straight and rolled his shoulder in the socket. He gripped his paws into fists and started walking over to the yard. The shouting was coming from right out side their home.
"Dude... Leave it be..." Jake said sternly, with out his normal whimsical demeanor. He sighed and jogged after him when he realized that the wolf couldn't hear him.
"I'm sure, you two are very close as always..." He said a bit disinterested but with a raised brow to the wolf.
"N-no I mean... Well..." Sage smiled and his cheeks lit up a bright pink.
"What is it Sage?" Paster Stevens asked as he tilted his head and placed his paper in his lap.
"Well, I mean when I wake up in the morning... And I see his smiling face staring back at me... My heart races. But with a deep throb that makes me feel all warm and safe inside. So... I think I've fallen for him..."
"Sage... You have to promise me that you will never say that out loud again..." Paster Jon Stevens said as he had just spilt his cold coffee all over himself.
"What? Why?" Sage asked startled by Jon's reaction. Sage got up and started handing Jon napkins but his stance was panicked.
"Because..." Jon rasped. He looked around trying to figure out a way to explain it while cleaning off the coffee from his pants.
"Jon... I think..."
"No! Your not thinking!" He cried.
"Whats gotten into you?" Sage asked appalled that he had shouted at him.
"Listen... its not normal, nor is it allowed here..." Jon explained quickly as though it was programed for him to respond that way.
"Wasn't this place built on the emphasis of love? Its very foundation is based care and warmth, Right?" Sage asked with his tail between his legs. He could feel himself trembling under this sudden outcast feeling.
"Sage... Every one here loves you and I know you love them back, but its a different kind of love..." Jon said as he stood up and tossed his stained paper in the trash.
"I don't get it! I adore every one yes, but I love Julian! He's always there for me... And I think he may... love me to!" he said through his teeth. Paster Jon hurried over and covered his muzzle with his paw. He hushed him with a paw tip to his own lips and a hissing noise.
"Sage..." he whispered with a quick look around. He turned to face him again but there was a very worried look on his face. "Sage please... I've accepted a lot of changes from you two, I know that you two are meant in some way to be together... you need each other and I understand that. But what your saying Sage..." He paused to shake his head in sorrow and take his paw off Sage's mouth. His paws instead went to the Wolf's cheeks. "If some how that were to get out... We'd lose everything..." his voice had such distance that it hurt Sage so deeply that he could feel tears starting to well in his own eyes. "I... I would understand your feelings better then most would, See Sage I had a mate once..." he trailed off as if running things through his head rapidly. "We were very happy together... regardless of how others looked at us... I didn't care... I felt safe in their arms..." it was almost like he was choking on his own words for a moment in thought. But there were no tears that Sage could see. The wolf just put his gentle paw on the Paster's arm and watched him. "Sage, I understand... I do... just please... Don't let it become public, This is a catholic church organization after all... And if word got out that I was harboring some one with homosexual beliefs..." He trailed off and looked Sage right in the eyes.
"What... What would happen Jon?" Sage asked feeling guilty for his feelings toward Julian.
"They'd take my Julian away..." He paused closing his eyes tightly. "And then you too... And then disband the organization... and all the little one's would have no were to go..." He whispered.
"But why?!" Sage gasped.
"Because thats how it is Sage..." He rasped.
"What..." Sage trailed off, then whispered into Jon's ear. "What if I promise you that no one will ever know?" Jon saw the hurt in his eyes. How much pain this talk had caused.
"If I don't see it, it never happened..." Jon said, then crossed his arms on his knees as he was squatting.
"But if I see it Sage... I can be nothing but fire and brim stone for the sake of the others that live here..." he added with a nod. He handed Sage his towel that had been thrown off when the talk had began, and Sage cleared his eyes. "I really do hope that you find your happiness though..." He said as he moved to the kitchen sink. "Now please, not another word of it..." and that was that... He was cleaning dishes and going on about his day. Sage only bowed his head in respects to the love that he had just shown him. To warn him of the dangers of such a union. He had no idea... But sadly it didn't change how he felt.
It was then that the phone rang. Jon picked it up mindlessly and said hello. Followed by a resounding..
"He did WHAT?!"
"Dad! Please!" The kid pleaded backing away from his father sliding on his tail as quickly as he could. The older rat was fuming for some reason or another reason.
"No son of mine will fail at such a thing! I have to keep toughening you up so that maybe one day you'll learn that no one will be there to help you except your self Zack!" He growled and swung his hand back to lunge his fist into his very own son. The kid really thought that it was over, he was going to get hit again and again until he played dead. He felt his heart tearing in half, no one would help him, and it was his father that was doing this to him. He had no idea why his father felt the need to do this to him, he got top scores in all of his other classes. His glasses had already been smashed by his father so many times, just because he felt the need for Zack to wear contacts. His eyes closed tight and he felt helpless knowing that he wouldn't be able do anything to protect himself. How could he? It was his father! But alas... The strike never came... There was a snapping noise like a club hitting a sand bag. But Zack never felt the flushing pain or the stars that normally played before his eyes after such a solid hit. His eyes peeked open to the sight of Julian locking his hand around his fathers wrist, preventing the attack from ever happening.
"You've got one of those..." Julian said sternly as he stood his ground. Zack's father even had his arm trembling, but Julian was like a stone.
"Who the hell are you?" He snapped as he looked the wolf in the eyes.
"You have one time that I'll forgive you, try it again and things will change drastically..." the wolf answered as he narrowed his eyes.
"And your going to tell me how to raise my kid?" The rat growled.
"That kid... Is a man!" Julian shouted forcing the rats arm into awkward angle, then shoved him away so that he lost his balance and fell to the ground. "I've never once seen him messed up on anything, I've never seen him once disrespect anyone and above all else he tries his hardest at everything he takes part in..." Julian added looking down on the Rat, who was drunk because he had gotten a good whiff of his breath when he had pushed him. This only further caused his dislike for the father to brew.
"Julian..." Came Zack's quiet voice.
"No Zack, this isn't right..." Julian said with out braking his gaze at the older rat.
"I might just have to teach you a lesson too kid... Like the old days..." he said with a slight slur.
"Try it old man..." Julian said with out skipping a beat. His shirt was thrown off and his posture changed to something that was much more aggressive then defensive.
"Julian, he's not worth it!" came Jake's voice, who was now helping Zack up off the uncut grass.
"Julian huh? Yeah I've heard of you..." Zack's father said as he raised himself from his back side and stood as tall as he could. "Your that runt that no one wants to adopt, the real wild card of the should be parking lot up on the top of the hill!" He snickered.
"Watch it old man, you might just lose all respect I have for you..." Julian laughed blatantly in his face.
"Your asking for it..." He growled.
"And you don't make any sense... maybe if you laid off the drink for a bit you'd notice how much you really do love your son!" Julian said as he parted his hands with a shrug.
"Parking lot... You son of a bitch!" Jake chuckled amused by how silly the situation was, But it was at that given moment of open opportunity, that Zack's father took a swing at Julian. The shot hit him dead on and didn't follow through. There was no following attack as Julian backed off after pushing him to the ground again.
"Get up... I dare you..." Julian said with out a smile in place. Both Zack and Jake had seen him like this before. And it never ended pretty. Zack's father got up slurring something but Julian backed up and took a quarter out of his pocket and flipped it to Jake.
"Here... Call an ambulance..." Julian growled and slugged the rat so hard that even Zack had to look away. The rat fell to the ground like a rag doll and was snoring. He was out cold from the strike...
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Alright, This has been the first chapter of "Why We're So Different. I hope that I've written something enjoyable for you too read. Please, I know I've put some good effort into this, but please please excuse any spelling mistakes, if there are any PM me about it and I'll correct it. Thanks for reading everyone! <3