FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

My muscles worked without me even thinking about it. They moved the binoculars over to the heat signature, which was slowly making its way out into the open field in front of our camp. I was about to raise the alarm, when I realized what it was. It was a horse.

It was not an animorph, just a normal horse. I couldn't tell the breed because of the distortment by the heat being passed off of it. Thankfully, Austin came up right at that time to relieve me.

"Anything out there?" He asked.

"Yea, I am going down to go handle it. Do not sound the alarm." I said, and I pointed to Danny and said, "If you wake him, I will cut off your thumbs."

He started to chuckle, until he realized I was being serious. He quickly stopped, and nodded in understanding. I grabbed the mg36, and hustled down to the barracks. I quickly dropped off the heavier weapon, but I did pick up Josh's pistol, just in case. I then headed to the kitchen, and grabbed a handful of carrots, which had been "liberated" from one of the convoys.

"Hey there." I said, as I slowly approached the horse. I finally got a good look at it, and I couldn't help but be awestruck by the beauty of the animal.

He had a sleek black coat, with no trace of any other color in it. I checked, and found that it was a male stallion, and I gulped nervously. He was absolutely huge, my head coming up to his shoulder. He snorted at me, and continued to crop grass.

I continued to slowly approach, and I could see that he continued to watch me with curiosity.

"That's it. Don't kick me in the face. I don't need that right now." I said, as I finally got within about 5 feet of him. He picked his head up, and slowly approached me. Instead of offering the carrots in my hand first, I held up my hand so he could smell me.

He inhaled deeply, and then pressed his snout into my hand and exhaled. He licked my hand, and I chuckled, and handed him one of the carrots. He happily munched on it, and I just sat down in the field next to him, and he sniffed the top of my head curiously.

"Do you have a home?" I asked, talking to the horse. He snorted, blowing my hair all over. I needed to shave my head again, to keep up with my warrior's fashion. It had grown back since I had left it, and I didn't want to be disrespectful to Ahote and the tribe.

"I will take that as a no." I muttered, and I slowly stood up. "Do you want to come with me?" I asked, and he just stood there, staring at me. I started to walk away, and he started to follow. I decided to take him into camp. We could provide protection for him for at least the night!

"Alright bud, you are free to roam around camp, and you can easily leave if you want. Feel free to stay though." I said, as I walked up toward the guard tower. He continued to follow me, even though I had given him the last of the carrots. I even showed him I was out, but he seemed to be happy to follow me.

Once I had reached the guard tower, I nodded to Austin who started to cough because he was laughing so hard.

"Don't you already have a dog?" He asked, still laughing.

"Shut up. You know I love horses, and I am sure that he can do more than you can!' I said in a loud whisper. He just flipped me off, and continued to scan. I checked to see if Danny was still asleep, and I found him happily snoozing.

A thought came to me, and I uttered a low whistle, and the stallion came over. So he was trained. Now, I had to see if he would be willing to transport Danny down to the barracks. I slowly applied pressure to his back, to see if he would jump or spook, and he did neither, so I had Austin help me put Danny on his back. Danny might have been underweight, but he was far from light!

"Alright big fella, now I just need you to follow me down to the barracks, and we will be set." I said, and he looked at me as if under standment.

We made it back down to the barracks okay, and now came the logistical problem. There were no more available bunks left. We had officially run out of room!

"Alright Danny, looks like you are sleeping in my bunk tonight." I said to myself. I pulled off from the stallions back carefully, and slowly carried him to my bunk. I slowly laid him down, and pulled the sheet over him.

"Goodnight Danny. I am happy you found a home at last." I said, and grabbed my sleeping back from my rucksack, and headed out the door. I heard Rolf follow me, and I just smiled. Truly mans best friend, and easy as all get out to please!

I laid my sleeping bag on the ground, this one having enough room for Rolf to curl up inside of it. He snuggled close to me, and I scratched between his ears, and he sighed content, and fell asleep. I could hear the stallion walk over, and then start eating grass nearby. I smiled, and sleep overtook me.

"Christopher, it is time to wake up." I heard somebody call me. I groaned, and hid my head in the sleeping bag.

"No no, you have to get up." I decided that I probably should get up, and standing above me was Jonathan.

"Why do I have to get up?" I asked.

"I was just told to wake you up by Josh. He said that he didn't want to get murdered for waking you up. You aren't mad at me, are you?" He asked, and I could see him wringing his hands.

"No, I am not mad at you. Actually, I haven't talked to you in a while. How are you?" I asked, as I got out of the sleeping bag. Rolf ran over to me from the general direction of the barracks, and I looked over to see the stallion laying down watching me intently.

"Not too bad. Working harder than I ever have before." He said.

"Yes, but are you happy here?" I asked.

"Yes. Really I am. I am away from Logan, and I feel that I am making a difference here. I get to see what work I have done sprout around the camp." He said.

"Alright. Just know that if you ever want to leave, not saying that you have to, but I will provide you a ride, supplies, and any funds that you may need." I said.

"No, that wont be necessary. It is just, well, never mind."

"No, what?" I asked.

"Everyone here is military trained. I mean, sure, I have fired my rifle a little bit, but I have not learned commands, or hand to hand. I might be useless when it finally comes time to actually fight." He said, and he sat down next to me.

"Alright. That is a very good point, and all of us could use some more training. I don't need us to forget all of our training, or we would be just as helpless. Thanks, I didn't even think of that!" I said, and patted him on the back. He smiled, seeming pleased with himself, and I got up and walked over to the stallion. He watched me almost knowingly through his chestnut brown eyes as I approached him.

"If you are going to stay, we are going to have to name you." I said, and he hopped up. I involuntarily took a step back. He walked over to me, and sniffed the top of my head.

"Wow. He is huge." I heard Jonathan whisper behind me.

"Isn't he?" I said.

I strapped on my body armor, and then my pistol to my leg. I had picked up a Heckler and Kotch .45 tactical. Just like my old .45, but with a bigger magazine. I also put on my radio, and canteen. I only had on my KABAR fighting knife, which was secured on the upper part of my chest rig. Now I was ready to ride!

I continued to think of his name as I mounted him. He did not sway or try to buck me, but he turned his head to touch my knee. I patted him on the back, and he straightened up. Now I questioned how to move him. I had no reigns, no saddle, just me on his back. I clicked, and he moved took of. I held on for dear life as he took off, dodging and weaving through the camp, and then finally jumping over the barrier of our camp. I tried to tell him to stop, but he was having none of it.

Finally, I yelled, "Halt!" And he stopped slowly, his sides heaving as he breathed hard. He looked back at me, who also was breathing hard from a near heart attack. "Good boy." I said, and he snickered and shook his head at me.

The others had run over to the wall of the camp to watch me, and I waved that I was all right. I looked down at the stallion and said, "Walk on." He slowly began to walk forward, and I smiled.

"Okay, trot." I said, and he began to trot. "Slow." I said, and he resumed his walk. "Go left." I said, and he moved left. "Stop." I said, and he kept moving. "Halt." I said, and he stopped.

"Okay, I think I have you figured out. And since I have a German dog, I need a German name for you. How about Jaeger?' I asked, and he decided that was the one, because he leaped up on his hind legs and cried to the heavens. I almost fell, but he seemed to enjoy it.

"Alright, take me home. I said, and he walked back to the camp. I held up my head in a posh manner, and I heard Nick say, "Look, a horse with two Asses!"

I glared over to him, and everyone laughed hysterically. I harrumphed, and headed over to were breakfast was being served. I dismounted, and then grabbed some breakfast and a few stalks of celery for Jaeger. He munched happily on them, and I sat down with my breakfast, and he walked out of camp to the field to crop grass.

Sam walked over to me, and said, "You really do know how to ride horses?"

"Yea, what did you think I meant when I said that?" I asked, and he just chuckled and threw me an apple. I started to take a bite when I heard Jaeger snort right behind me. Sneaky bastard...

I turned and just looked up at him. "What?"

He nudged me, and I quickly put the apple behind my back. I smiled, and he bent his ears back. I was about to give the apple to him, when I heard a loud crunch from behind me, and I turned to see Sam munching happily on half of my apple. I stood there in shock, holding the apple up from him, and Jaeger took the rest from me. Everyone around me laughed, and I just shook my head and walked off.

I trained riding Jaeger for the rest of the morning, and some of the others watched, others worked or just had fun around camp. After about an hour of riding, I dismounted, my legs slightly tired and I wobbled a little bit before I was able to regain my balance. I removed the blanket I was using as a temporary saddle, and also the ropes, which loosely wrapped around his snout.

"At a boy, Jaeger. You are a god boy, and you are free to roam around. Enough for today, and I have to take care of some other stuff." I said, and I scratched right in his shoulder blade, and he snorted happily, and started to munch on grass. I walked back over to the camp, and I took off my shirt, because I was dripping in sweat. It was a hot July day, and I could not even imagine what the animorphs were going through.

"Nice riding out there. It almost looks like you know what you are doing." Drake said, as he tossed me a water bottle. I caught it, and drained the whole thing before speaking.

"Funny guy. Just because you can fly, doesn't mean that you are better than the rest of us." I said, and he snorted.

"Yes it does. And I can prove it!" He said, before grabbing me and leaping into the air.

I won't lie, I screamed.

Why finally came resting down on a lookout high above the camp. I was still trying to find the words to speak. I couldn't tell if I wanted to yell at him, or thank him for one of the coolest things I have ever experienced. Being free, flying through the skies, soaring through the skies.

"Thank you." I said, in a hushed whisper.

"What, no yelling? Are you really admitting that flying is better?" He said, astonished.

I nodded, and walked over to the edge of the cliff. "Drake, do you ever see this war ending?" I asked.

"Yes, I do. I know you do. But who will win?" He asked.

"Nobody wins in a war. Everyone seems to lose..." I said, and he closed his muzzle to think about what I had said. I took the time to enjoy the peacefulness of the forest, relishing in the fresh air.

"You are quite the negative person, aren't you?" He said, with a slight chuckle. He sat down, and rested against a fallen tree. I walked over and sat down next to him.

"So tell more about yourself." I said. " I hardly know anything about you."

"I could say the same about you." He said. I remained quiet, so he continued. "But what do you want to know?"

"Just say what you enjoy most. What makes the world go round for you? Something to cheer you up every day?" I said.

"A clear sky. Whenever I am troubled, flying always helps. You saw yourself how calming it can be. Well, once you stopped screaming." He said, chuckling.

"I have noticed one very key thing about you." I said, and he gave me a questioning look.

"And that is?"

"You hide behind humor." I said, and looked him dead in the eye. He looked down, and shuffled his feet.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "What is really bugging you?"

"It isn't fair. You all get a chance, but I am left behind, forgotten." He said. He started to cry, and I wrapped in a hug the best I could. "There, there big guy. Everything is all right. I am right here. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." I said, as he continued to sob heavily into my chest.

"I miss my family. But I cannot go back. They disowned me, because, because I am gay." He managed to get out, and then continued to sob into my chest.

"There, there. Everything will be all right. Drake, I may not be able to understand your pain completely, but I am here for you. And the others will be as well." I said.

"I am afraid to tell them. What if they are the same as my family?" He moaned.

"Drake, when have we ever done anything to harm you? We only care for you, and try to make you feel at home. Yes, you have lost one family, but you now have us. We are here to protect you, and to love you." I said, as I squeezed him tighter. He squeezed back, and then sat back.

"Are you sure I should tell the others?" He said.

" I think you should. I think it would be for the best. And I will have nobody target you, or they will face ME." I said. He smiled weakly, and then hugged me again.

"You are the brother I never had." He whispered.

"As are you. The much bigger, buffer brother I never imagined!' I said, and he chuckled dryly.

"So is there anything else?" I asked.

"No. Not for now." He said.

"Earlier, you said it wasn't fair. That you were being left behind. What did you mean?"

"Everyone else has a mate, and I am left alone." He said.

"At your own choosing. I saw I think Bridgett eyeing you up. But then again, she isn't your type. But, love will find you someday, sometimes in the weirdest of places. I found mine in a prisoner camp!" He chuckled, and slowly laid his huge head on my shoulder.

"Thanks. You don't know how much you got off my chest." He said.

"I understand. I used to do it too. But we all need to vent sometimes. Now try to rest. I am going to go find some firewood. We are going to spend the night up here, it is getting dark and I don't trust flying in the dark." I said. He started to argue, but I put my hand over his muzzle. "No arguments." He nodded, and I released his muzzle. He just snorted, and I went into the nearby woods to see what I could scavenge.

As I walked through the woods, I reflected upon my own personal thoughts, and how far I had come. Not even six months ago, I was just a normal kid, living in a small town, with hopes to someday get out of there and make it big. Sure, I wanted to go to college, and maybe have kids. Live in big home, be rich, the same as every other person.

Now, I led a small paramilitary force, surrounded by enemies who weren't looking for us exactly, and I had to worry about not only myself, but also about 20 others. And the group kept growing larger and larger. Sure, they were all willing to work, and were here on their own accord, but that didn't help much. I had to keep them clothed, fed, happy, and safe. For a sixteen year old, that is a lot!

I sat down on a downed tree, and rubbed my temples. I was tired, and not sleeping enough. I just wanted somebody to take over me for a while. I know that sounds selfish, but when you get pushed to the edge, it makes you think differently.

I continued to sit there, and think, as I watched the sun sink lower and lower in the sky. I finally decided what I was going to do, and I got up and headed back to Drake with my armload of firewood.

Once I got back to our little clearing, I saw that he was still sleeping, so I gently put the wood down in a semi-neat pile. I started to build the fire, starting with small savings of bark I had shaved off with my knife. I put the smaller twigs, and then my larger log. I started to sweat, so I took of my shirt, making sure it was well away from the fire building area. Didn't need that to go up in flames!

As I worked on the fire, I saw Drake stir, and he slowly opened his eyes. I continued to work, and he just watched me through partially open eyes. I looked over to him, and he quickly shut them. I thought about putting my shirt back on, but in reality, I didn't even mind.

Once I was finished with building the fire, I took out my flint and steel, and after a few strikes and some curses, I got it going. I sat back, as the fire cracked and popped in its withering dance. After a few minutes, I moved back and leaned up against the log with Drake.

He slowly looked over at me, and then quickly looked away. I grew confused.

"Did I upset you?" I asked.

"No. Its just, well, aren't you mad that I was watching you?" He asked. Ah, so he did realize that I had caught him.

"No. But before you ask me why, I have no clue. I guess... Shit, I don't know." I said. I closed my eyes and leaned back. I groaned out loud, as my back popped several times. I stayed quiet, as did he for several minutes. The only sounds I heard were the fire as it burned through all of the wood I had gathered and Drake breathing.

"Chris, what is bothering you?" He asked.

"I want to step down as leader. I want the group to vote who is next." I said. I didn't open my eyes, but I heard him lean forward.

"Why? You are leading us so well. There have been little to no fights, we are booming in ranks, and everyone is happy, fed, and clothed. Why would you step down?" He said sounding quite irritated.

"Look at me." I said. I sat up, and he looked into my eyes, his piercing into my very soul. "Describe me by the look in my eyes." I said calmly.

He looked at me for about five minutes, studying me. Finally, I saw his anger melt away. "You just look... tired." He said.

"You are correct. Drake, I haven't slept right in months. I have to worry about you guys, keeping you fed, safe, protected. It is a heavy burden, and it grows heavier with every new member, every new problem, and every day. I hurt so much inside, my body is weak, and while it seems like I am full of energy, it showed today when I got off Jaeger. I could barely stand. I had to sit while looking for firewood. The last time I have had a meal un-interrupted was so long ago, I can't even remember."

"But what about Nick? Why isn't he helping?" Drake asked.

"Because I wont let him. Drake, he is 15. He doesn't deserve to have these burdens on his shoulders. How could I do that and have a clear conscience?"

"And doing it to yourself is much better? You are a kid too!" He said, exasperation in his voice.

"Who else would do it? That is why I want to step down, and set up a group of people to lead, instead of having one person do it. 'You must learn from experience to help shape the future'. I don't know who said that, but God were they true."

Drake looked at me, and then wrapped me gently in a hug. I embraced him back, enjoying the feeling of having such a huge, protective force around me.

He held on for what seemed like seconds, but was probably about 10 minutes. He looked me in the eyes, and then rested his head on top of mine. " I understand. I do. It hurts though, to see you in so much pain, and being so weak. I will help you through planning this transition. But it will take time." He said.

"I know. I will be fine until then. But I may call upon you at times when the load becomes too much to bear. Would you be willing to help me then?" I asked, weariness seeping into my very bones.

"Of course. Now, go to sleep. I am going to think things over a little. Just clear my mind." He said.

"Do you want me to listen?"

"No. You must sleep, and I will wake you when I am ready to take you back down to camp." He said.

"When you are ready? What am I, the knight or the princess being captured by the dragon?" I asked, as I rested my head on the log. I felt Drake pull me closer, so I was resting on his chest. It was much warmer, and I was lulled to sleep on his chest.

The last thing I heard before I was completely asleep was, "You are my knight."

I woke in the morning to hear him softly snoring. I felt that he had his head rested on top of mine, and he was wrapped around me protectively. I smiled, and slowly fell back asleep.

When I woke again, I was alone. I looked around, and saw that Drake was nowhere to be seen. I got up, and stretched, noticing my shirt under my head, which hadn't been there when I had fallen asleep. I chuckled, and then slowly got up. By where the sun rested in the sky, it was about noonish.

I got up, and stretched. I rubbed my temples a little bit, and then looked around for Drake. I didn't see him, so I called for him. Still no answer.

My radio crackled to life, but it was just to report the change of guards. I nodded, happy that nothing life altering was happening while I wasn't there.

"Good morning Chris." I heard, and turned around surprised to see Danny walking out of the forest.

"Uh, hi. Um, how did you find me?" I asked, confused.

"Drake told me where to find you. He is mapping out the area for us by flying around, and he told me to take you back to camp. Don't worry, he told me about your mindset and physical exestuation. We will take it slow." He said.

"I am not physically exhausted. Just tired." I said, as we started walking down the hill. He continued to question me about my life, past travels, and other such things.

Finally I asked him why he was questioning me so much, while we sat down so that I could take a break.

"I know little about you. Both Drake and me care about you. I was very apprehensive being around you at first, I will admit. But now, I feel as if I am not close enough. I want to know what makes you happy, what brings sadness, anger, joy, sorrow." He said, his deep brown eyes showing a twinkling of happiness in them.

"Okay. I will tell you as much as I am comfortable with." I said, as I got up. I leaned over so I could help him up, and he leaped up and grabbed me, throwing me on his shoulders.

"Good. I can carry you down then." He said, and I didn't argue. "First question, do you believe in a god?"

I thought for a moment, and then answered yes. He looked up, as if expecting more of an explanation. "I believe in a God, but I don't believe that he controls everything we do. I think he can push us in the right direction every once in a while though." I said. He nodded, and then asked another.

"What is your biggest pet peeve? The thing that really gets under your skin?"

"Being hypocritical. If you are saying not to do it without good reason, then who are you to stop them from doing the same?"

"Okay," he said, " Now what is the thing that brings you the most joy?"

"Seeing others happy. Even at the cost of my own happiness."

"Why though? I mean, sure, they are your friends and all, but why make them so happy, without thinking of yourself? Sounds almost too noble to be true."

"Because making them happy, makes me happy. With anything, you get what you take out of it. Seeing you guys, animorphs, humans, male, female playing, fighting side by side makes me extremely happy. More than you ever could imagine."

Danny stayed quiet for about ten minutes, and I enjoyed the peacefulness around me. I hopped down from his shoulders so I could take a leak before we continued again.

"Alright, another question. I am pretty good at reading people. You don't have to answer. Is Drake gay?" He asked.

"That is not for me to say." I said, and continued to walk without me looking at him.

"Both me and Jonathan wanted to know." He said, and then stopped and sat on a large, moss covered boulder.

I stopped as well, his words confusing me. Then I became angry.

"Why do you want to know? Do you have something against gays? Because understand I WILL NOT TOLORATE IT! DO I MAKE MYSELF VERY CLEAR?!" I yelled at him, and his eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

He started to stutter, and I clutched my pistol grip very tightly, toying with the safety. "You dare think you are better than them. After we took you in, both of you, to protect you, and keep you safe. Understand that if you dare say ANYTHING to Drake, I will turn. You. In." I finished, as I stormed away.

"Wait! Let me say something! You were always there to listen. Give me a minute to explain, please!" He said, as he ran to catch up. In a few strides, he was standing in front of me, blocking my path. I drew my pistol, but kept it pointed at the ground.

"You will move, right now." I said.

"No. You will listen, so sit the fuck down." He said. His language took me aback, and I growled and tried to shove by him. He quickly forced my arm around my back, and I realized he was trying to pin me. I dropped to the ground, which made him lose the hold; I rolled, and pointed my pistol at his chest. But he expected that, and kicked the pistol out of my hand. It flew about five feet away, and I quickly dove for it.

I received a quick kick to the chest, and rolled to avoid being grabbed by the nape of the neck. I tried to get up, but was grabbed by the throat and slammed into a tree. My back screamed in pain, but I felt the grip around my neck loosen, and then disappear altogether. I took this opportunity to kick him on the side of his right thigh with my boot, and then tried to roll out of the way, but I was quickly caught, and my hands were held behind my back, and then quickly bound.

"Now," He said, panting, "I have you as a captive audience. So listen, and listen well." He said. He got up, and propped me gently against the tree I had just slammed into. He walked over, and picked up m pistol, and then sat on a boulder about 5 feet from me.

"Before you went off on an anger fueled rage, I was going to ask you a different question. But, by what you just showed, it was answered. I was going to ask you what you thought about homosexuals, but it is clear where you stand. Now, I might have worded the first question wrong." He said, and waited for me to say something. I said nothing, but did lean to the side to ease the pressure on my sore ribs, and to spit out a fair amount of blood, which had been caused by me biting my tongue when I hit the tree.

"Before I continue, are you alright?" he asked, and I saw a look of caring in his eyes. It made my anger falter, but I decided to stay quiet.

"Alright, suit yourself. Now, the reason I asked if you knew if Drake was gay is so that he can talk to both Jonathan and me. We are both gay, Chris. We would be the last people to harm Drake. Besides, with how big he is, I doubt anyone short of a small army can do that, other than you..." He said, as he rubbed his thigh.

I stayed quiet, thinking about what he had just said. Did he really mean it, or was he just trying to slip past my defenses. I stared hard at him, and he stared right back with his eyes full of hurt and sorrow. This broke my anger, which melted away.

"I-I am so sorry." I said, as tears streaked down my cheeks.

"It's alright, you didn't know." He said, and walked over. He cut my bonds, and I immediately wiped my tears away.

"Gods, now I feel like an ass. I, I just thought you were going to try and hurt him. He was thrown out of his home because he came out. Then he left the military. I tried to provide a family, a safe place for him to call home. And I am the one who endangers people here the most." I said, and a fresh wave of tears rolled down my cheeks. My sobs rolled out from deep within, racking my whole body. Danny wrapped his arms around me, and held me while I sobbed into his chest, again.

"Am I interrupting?" I heard, and looked up and wiped my eyes, and I saw Jonathan threw blurry eyes.

"No. Just me being a fool, again. I am so sorry." I whispered, as I looked up at Danny, who was holding me tightly to his chest.

"No, you didn't know. You were just trying to look out for Drake. And you fought hard, even in the state you were in. You fought with a fire I have never seen, and I have seen a good amount of fighting." He said. He rubbed the back of my neck gently, and I just closed my eyes.

"So, I am just going out here on a limb to guess we were right?" Jonathan said.

"Yes, you are right. Drake is gay, and he wanted to tell the whole unit. I was trying to protect him, and instead, I almost ruined the greatest support that he could have." I said.

"You didn't ruin it. You, Chris, are what he rallies behind. He did not know that we are gay. Yet, he was willing to tell the whole unit that he was, because of you. You fought me in your weakened state to protect him. You could have played the two-faced card, and done nothing for him. But you stayed with who you are." He said, as he tapped right above my heart. "And that is why any person in this unit would be willing to follow you to hell and back." Danny said.

I looked over to Jonathan, and he smiled and nodded. I smiled weakly, and slowly I got up. I turned around to Danny, and helped him up.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yea, but I think you gave me a pretty nasty bruise. Are you okay?" He asked.

"I will be, if I can ever relax." I said. He chuckled, and I looked over to Jonathan, who looked worried about Danny's bruise. He seemed really upset about it, and then something clicked into my mind.

"Uh, are you guys, you know, together?" I asked. Both smiled, and nodded. Jonathan walked over and intertwined hands with Danny, who smiled down at him and nuzzled him affectionately. Jonathan giggled, and they continued to hold hands and face me.

"So we should probably get moving." Danny said. "I am sure Drake wants you there when he announces it." I nodded, and then proceeded to hobble down the path to camp. I stayed behind the two lovebirds, who were happily dancing through the leaves, romping around and just having a great time.

They kept trying to come back and keep me company, but I refused to hear such a thing.

"Would you two love birds go have fun? I will make it back to camp safely on my own!" I said, and nudged Jonathan toward Danny, and shooed them away.

I guess Jonathan had decided to take the phrase, "Love Bird" literally, because he started making birdcalls, and then ran down the hill, flapping like a bird. Danny laughed, and took off after him.

As I walked alone, I thought about how far we had really come. We started out as a group of friends, barely able to make pasta without burning the house down. Now, we made meals everyday, not for the fun of it, but because if we didn't, we would starve. We built structures. Sure, they weren't skyscrapers, but it was something to pass on. A legacy to remember us by.

I also thought about how the others would take Drake, Danny, and Jonathan coming out. Would they be upset? Would they look to me to see how I reacted? And if everyone wanted to kick them out, what would I do? Stay with the people who I have known for years, or go with the ones who care more about me than I can even comprehend.

I sat down, and took a swig from my canteen. As I did, I looked down at the golden ring, which shone brightly through the tear in my gloves. I marveled how the gloves, which seemed destroyed, dirty, and useless allowed such a shining, almost beacon of hope to seep through. Yea, I know, all metaphorical, but it unlocked a thought inside me. I know there would be no problem with my guys and Drake. That was just the kind of people they were.

But it also unlocked a though that terrified me. One that I did not see coming. I tried to push it to the back of my mind, to forget, hoping that it would go away. But it didn't, it only grew stronger. I though about Drake. How he held me, protected me.

Then I though of Star. She was pretty, and kind. But deep in my heart, I didn't have any other feeling than that. How could I not love the girl who had helped me escape?

I sat down, and thought long and hard. I had barely known Drake, and yet he was trying so hard to please me, to be around me. I thought back to the hospital, and how he had not wanted to give up my title to Sean. Or how he had tried to protect me from the Doctor.

I just sat there, on the biggest emotional rollercoaster that I had ever been on. I knew that it would not be easy. But I knew I had to tell someone. I could only think of two people. Nick and Ahote. And neither was going to be easy to do.

As I entered the camp, I saw Danny and Jonathan waiting for me. They saw how emotionally, and physically drained I was.

"Maybe we should tell Drake to do this another time." Danny said.

"No. If he is strong enough to do this, so am I." I said, and the both looked at each other and smiled.

"We knew you would be here for him. He is waiting for you at your favorite tree." Jonathan said.

"Great. More walking." I said. Jonathan shook his head, and tossed me a set of keys. He pointed to right behind him, and one of the ATVs sat there.

"Thanks. I owe you one." I said, as I mounted the vehicle.

"Trust me, no you don't." He said, as he wrapped his arm around Danny. Danny smiled, and both backed away from me as I started the ATV. I put it into gear, and drove s fast as possible to my favorite tree, where the dragon who needed me stayed. And together, we would slay his problems.

"Hey." He said, once I had stopped the ATV and dismounted.

"Hey yourself!" I said, and sat down next to him.

"I can see why you love this tree. It seems to help comfort me." He said.

"Yea, it doesn't mind when you speak your problems to it." I said.

"Chris, I don't think I can do it." He said.

"I don't think you can either." I said. He looked at me with bewilderment. "I know you can. You have my full support. Also, you have two others as well." I said, mischievously.

"What?! You told someone else?!" He said, as he looked at me with astonishment.

"Actually, no, I guessed." I heard, as Danny and Jonathan walked through some undergrowth.

"How did you guess?!" Drake said.

"It was the way you looked at Chris, actually..." Danny said. Drake blushed, and so did I.

"Its not something you should be ashamed of Drake. Look at me and Danny!" Jonathan said, and then planted a kiss right on Danny's muzzle. Danny chuckled, and picked Jonathan up so he was on the same level, and returned the kiss.

"Hold on. You two are..." Drake said.

"Faggots!" Jonathan squealed, as Danny spun him around.

"Okay, so when did you guess? When you were walking Chris back down the mountain?" Drake asked.

Danny put down Jonathan, and looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.

"Chris and I did a little more than 'talk'. He kinda flipped out, taking me the wrong way when I asked of you were gay. He went into defensive mode, and pointed his pistol at me, which resulted in us fighting hand to hand. Which I won." He said, and snorted at me in victory.

"Very fair, fighting a cripple. And you almost really did break me in two over that tree." I said, and he chuckled.

"Yea, my apologies. Just meant to stun you. Instead, you delivered a nasty blow to my leg. And you aren't that crippled..." he said.

"Yea, I know." I said. "But back on track, Drake, do you understand that everyone is willing to support you? Both of them are willing to come out with you tonight. Or, they will do it a different night, if you so wish." I said, looking at Danny and Jonathan. Both nodded their heads in agreement.

"No. We do this together. When though?"

"During dinner? Everyone will be there, and if we call for a special meeting, they will guess something is up." I said. All three agreed that dinner was the best, and so we decided that Drake was to go first, followed by Danny and Jonathan.

"And speaking of dinner, it is almost that time." I said, looking down at my watch. I saw Drake quiver nervously, and I grabbed him by the muzzle and forced him to look at me in the eyes.

"You. Will. Be. Fine." I said. He smiled slightly, and nuzzled my hand. I chuckled, and released him. All of us started to walk out to the clearing, which my ATV still sat at.

"I am going to fly back to camp." Drake said.

"I will come with you." I said. He looked over at me, smiling but looking confused. "You owe me a flight after you jipped me one from down the mountain. You made me walk!" I said, and he chuckled.

"Hold up Chris!" Jonathan called. I stopped, and he ran over to me. I saw that Danny had not moved.

"Danny wanted to talk to you real quick." He said.

"Bout what?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders. "All right, I will be back in a sec Drake." I said, and tossed Jonathan the ATV key. He caught it, and then waited for Danny.

I walked over to Danny, who was standing, marveling up at the tree.

"What's up?" I asked.

"When are you going to come out?" He asked, bluntly.

Hey! Been a while. huh? Happy to keep going though! Hoped you enjoyed!! Comment if you liked!