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Chris woke up to a series of light licks to his face and neck. The human blushed and giggled as he slowly woke up. The Australian Cattle Dog was already dressed and groomed, and the scent of coffee hung on his breath. Max smiled and, tail wagging, planted a soft kiss on Chris's cheek.

"Morning Chris," Max began, "How are you doing?"

Chris yawned and stretched.

"Good," Chris replied, "I'm happy and warm, so I can't really complain."

Max nuzzled up to the human's cheek and chuckled.

"You were moaning someone's name last night in your sleep," Max began, "Brutus... thinking about Shakespeare are we?"

Chris blushed and shook his head.

"Brutus is the guy who I've been thinking of seeing," Chris chuckled, "I can't believe I was moaning his name."

"I think it's cute," Max smiled, "I know you said you were going to be the one to ask him out. How are you going to do it?"

Chris thought for a moment and shrugged.

"I actually haven't put much thought into it yet," Chris blushed and looked down, "I'd just figure I'd ask him to go out someplace and spring it on him there."

Max rolled his eyes.

"Where's the romance?" Max began, "Isn't this guy worth more than some cheap dinner?"

Chris nodded.

"Just kiss him, show him how you feel," Max chuckled, "Look him in the eyes and tell him you want him in your life. He's a Fur, he's already latched onto you, and you've already latched on to him."

Chris blinked.

"What?" Chris asked, "How is that possible? I'm not a Fur."

"You just feel like one," Max began, "That's how these interspecies relationships happen. Humans that feel the powerful attraction that a Fur feels for their mates look for those who can reciprocate that feeling. Most humans can't reciprocate, so the only relationships that feel right to people like you are with Furs.""

Chris looked up at Max and sighed.

"Will he? Reciprocate that is," Chris asked, "What if he's wrong about how he feels?"

Max shook his head.

"He's not," Max replied, "You know that, you can tell."

Chris nodded and chuckled.

"Yeah," Chris rubbed his arm and blushed, "I can."

"Tell me about it," Max grinned and sat up on the bed, "I'm a sucker for this romantic stuff."

"This week when we weren't really talking," Chris began, "He would just look at me, when he thought I wasn't watching. It wasn't creepy, or sexual though."

"Really," Max's tail wagged, "How was it then?"

"Reverently," The human replied, "Like how someone looks at a priceless work of art. He looked at me like I was the most beautiful thing in the world."

"What do you think of him?" Max squirmed, unable to hide his excitement, "Do you feel the same?"

Chris chuckled and sighed.

"I don't know yet," Chris began, "I care about him a lot, but I don't think I'm that far yet."

"Do you think you will be?" Max asked, his ears drooping, "A relationship like this is not something you want to pass up. If a Fur feels the way that this guy feels for you, he'll move mountains for you."

The human nodded.

"He would move mountains for me," Chris sighed happily, "I'm a lucky guy."

"Yeah you are," Max's tail wagged, "Come on, get dressed, Tristian's making breakfast."

Chris smiled and got out of bed. He put on his clothes, stretched, and walked out into the kitchen. Eddie Money was blaring out of a pair of computer speakers as Tristian danced around the kitchen naked frying eggs, his hips shaking and gyrating to the beat. Chris blushed and tried not to watch the spectacle. Tristian giggled and set the eggs down on the stove before running out and embracing the human tightly.

"Good morning sweetie!" Tristian began with a smile, "How do you like your eggs?"

"Urm," Chris shifted uncomfortably, "Runny."

Tristian pulled away from the human with a nuzzle and ran back into the kitchen to start his eggs. The human blushed hard and sat down on the couch next to Tristian's mate Jeremy. The Pit Bull grumbled and pulled the human closer to him with a lick. Chris meeped and blushed as the large dog rested his paw on the human's lower back.

"Morning," Jeremy grumbled, "Didn't get the chance to really meet you last night. I'm not always the most sociable after a long day at work."

Chris squirmed, prompting the Pit-Bull to hold the human tightly to him.

"I told you they were pawsy Chris," Vincent chuckled from a purple chair across from Chris, "Don't worry too much about it, it usually doesn't go that far."

Kurt rolled his eyes.

"Unless you're Max," The zebra chuckled, "Sounded like you two had fun last night."

Chris turned beet red and looked down at his feet. Max chuckled and brought the human a cup of coffee with cream and sugar in it. The human took the coffee and smiled.

"Be nice," Max said as he sat down on the couch next to Jeremy and Chris, "You guys were doing the same damn thing."

Vincent chuckled.

"That may be true," The fox began, "But at least we were quiet."

"That's a shame," Chris replied, "Must mean that Max and I are better in bed."

Max and Jeremy started to laugh, the motion shaking Chris off of the Pit-Bull's lap.

"I'm glad you've got a little bite," Jeremy chuckled, "You should show it more, wit is something a lot of guys find very attractive."

Tristian chuckled.

"Good thing there are other things that compensate for your wit," Tristian giggled, "Well, your wit and your age."

Jeremy slowly rose from the couch and turned to face his mate. He ran forward and pounced on the caribou, taking the two of them down to the kitchen floor. Tristian giggled as Jeremy tickled and licked him excessively.

"Let me up you big slobber hound," Tristian smiled, "I don't want to ruin the food."

Jeremy sat back on Tristian's stomach and pouted.

"Only if you apologize," Jeremy began, "My feelings are hurt."

Tristian rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Tristian chuckled, "Even though I know they aren't."

Jeremy winked and got up off of the caribou. Chris chuckled and looked over at Max, who was typing fervently on his phone. The Dog looked up and sighed.

"Sorry guys," Max began, "I've got to go. My kid needs me."

"Kid?" Chris asked, "I didn't know you were a dad."

Max chuckled and nodded.

"Yep, Nathan and I adopted a decade ago," Max sighed wistfully, "She's a coyote, about 17, very responsible."

Chris chuckled.

"She sounds awesome," Chris began, "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes unfortunately," Max replied, "It was a pleasure to meet you Chris."

Chris smiled and nodded.

"Pleasure to meet you too," Chris got up to hug the Cattle Dog goodbye, "I'll talk to you soon."

Max's tail wagged as he hugged the human back. The Cattle Dog pulled away, exchanged goodbyes with the other males, and walked out the door. Chris sipped his coffee and smiled as Tristian walked in with five plates of eggs, sausage, and toast. The males dug in and quickly demolished the hearty portions on their plates.

"Thank you for cooking babe," Jeremy began, his grey furred muzzle streaked with egg yolk, "It was delicious."

Tristian smiled and wiped his mate's muzzle clean.

"You're welcome," Tristian giggled, "Thank you for buying groceries."

Chris put a finger up in the air.

"I noticed you were eating meat Tristian," Chris began, "I thought Furs like you didn't do that."

Tristian shrugged.

"I don't eat my feral cousins," Tristian replied, "Not all Furs who are derived from herbivores are herbivores, in fact, most of them aren't. I like McDonalds too much to be a vegetarian."

The group chuckled and set about to cleaning their dishes. As Chris finished, Vincent came up behind him and tapped his shoulder.

"Ready to go kid?" Vincent asked, "Kurt's going to be steamed if we miss the Ohio State game."

"Sure," Chris replied, "Let me say goodbye to everyone."

Chris went up to hug Jeremy first. The Pit-Bull chuckled and gave the human a bear hug.

"Thank you for having me out," Chris strained, "I had a lot of fun."

Jeremy chuckled and let the human go.

"You are more than welcome," Jeremey smiled, "I hope to see you again."

Tristian ran up behind the human and hugged him tight, the caribou's modestly sized sheath pressed up against the human's rump. Chris chuckled and patted Tristian's hand.

"I'll see you later Tristian," Chris broke free of the hug, "Have a good one guys."

Vincent pouted in the hallway, leaning up against the wall.

"Come on Chris," The fox huffed, "I want to gossip on the way home."

Chris rolled his eyes, it was going to be a long drive.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That same morning

Brutus groaned in pain as Janet examined his bruised muzzle. The vixen sighed and turned to look at Thomas.

"He doesn't have a concussion or any broken bones," Janet began, "But I'm not a doctor, I'll have to take him to a hospital just to be safe."

Brutus shook his head.

"No," The Dalmatian crossed his arms, "I hate hospitals, and besides, if you say that I'm fine, I'm fine."

Janet growled.

"You are going," Janet stomped her foot, "And that's final."

Thomas nodded.

"Just go with her," Thomas began, "Chris would want you to."

The Dalmatian chuckled.

"Maybe I want to wait for Chris," Brutus replied, "After all, if he's crazy about me as you say, maybe I want to be here when he comes home."

Janet rolled her eyes.

"If you die from brain trauma that's not going to matter now will it," Janet began, "Now come on, I'll drive you there."

"I don't have brain trauma," Brutus stuck out his tongue, "My face just hurts a lot."

"Really? You don't?" Janet asked, "Because you're being really stupid and difficult right now."

Brutus chuckled.

"Sweetie I'm always difficult and, depending on who you ask, always stupid" Brutus replied, "I'm going to stay here."

"Chris probably won't be back until later anyways," Thomas began, "Can't you just go to the hospital for him? They're just going to double check and make sure that you are ok."

Brutus looked at Thomas and Janet and sighed.

"Ok," He replied, "For him. Let me go to the bathroom first."

The Dalmatian sighed and got up from his bed. He walked out of the room. Thomas got up to wrap his arms around his fiancé and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you for coming to help out on your day off," Thomas began, "I really appreciate it."

Janet sighed and nuzzled up against her fiancé.

"It's ok," Janet replied, "I'm just happy you guys are ok."

"So," Thomas sighed, "What do you think of him?"

Janet snorted.

"Stubborn and difficult," Janet chuckled, "But yeah, he's a charmer and a sweetheart."

"What about him as you know?" Thomas trailed off, "I'm sorry, I'm just worried about my brother."

"I think he'll be good for him," Janet nodded, "God works in mysterious ways, even ways that I might not think are necessarily right."

Thomas smiled.

"It's pretty clear that I need to reassess my personal philosophy," Janet continued, "I'm wrong about a few things."

Thomas chuckled.

"That's a hard thing to admit," The male smiled, "That should make things between you and Chris much less tense."

Janet smiled.

"Good," Janet began, "He is a good kid."

Thomas nodded.

"Yeah," Thomas replied, "He is."

Janet sighed.

"What were you thinking Thomas?" The vixen began, "You could have been seriously hurt or worse."

Thomas sighed and hung his head.

"You know how I can get," Thomas replied, "I was being over-protective."

"I know," Janet began, "But you have to realize, Chris is an adult now. You can't be there to protect him forever. Sooner or later, you'll have to let go."

Thomas nodded and sighed. Janet's face softened and she leaned down to give her mate a gentle kiss.

"You are going to be a wonderful father," Janet continued, her paw resting on Thomas's cheek, "And an even more wonderful husband."

Thomas smiled and took her paw in his. He bent down to kiss it as Brutus walked back into the room. The Dalmatian smiled and chuckled.

"If you guys need a bit I don't have to go to the hospital right away," Brutus began, "Believe me I can wait."

Janet shook her head and scoffed.

"You wish mister," Janet chuckled, "Your ass is going to the hospital."

Brutus huffed and pouted.

"You coming Thomas?" Janet asked, "I can drop you off at home if you want."

Thomas shook his head,

"I'll stay here in case Chris comes back," Thomas replied, "I'm sure he'll freak out if he comes back to an empty room."

Janet nodded.

"See you in a bit," Janet began, "Try and rest up hun."

Thomas nodded and got into Chris's bed. Janet smiled and turned off the lights before shepherding Brutus out of the room.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chris arrived at his dorm late in the morning, his cheeks still red from the good natured teasing he got from Vincent and Kurt on the drive back from Jeremy and Tristian's. The human yawned and opened the door, gasping at the sight of his brother sitting up shirtless in his bed.

"Thomas?" Chris asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"

Thomas sighed and looked up at the human.

"It's a long story," The fox began, "Sit down."

Chris looked over at Brutus's empty bed and sighed.

"Where's Brutus?" Chris asked as he sat down on the Dalmatian's bed.

"Hospital," Thomas explained, "I had Janet take him last night."

"What?!" Chris practically growled, "What the fuck happened?"

"I was worried about you last night," Thomas whined, "So I got Brutus and tried to go out and get you."

"How did that put him in the hospital?" Chris asked, "What happened Thomas?"

"I wrecked," The fox sighed, "Janet picked him up. She just called me. He's fine, and on the way back."

Chris breathed a sigh of relief and fell back onto Brutus's bed. Thomas's nostrils flared and the fox shot up from Chris's bed.

"Did you have sex last night?!" Thomas asked indignantly, "How could you?"

"I'm an adult," Chris replied, "I'm not dating anyone, and frankly, it's none of your business."

Thomas sighed.

"What is Brutus going to think? What the fuck were you thinking?" Chris's brother got up from the bed, "That boy is in love with you Chris. Does that mean nothing to you?"

Chris sighed and shook his head.

"It does mean a lot to me," Chris began, "I had a conversation this morning that really showed me how much I want this. I was going to ask Brutus on a date once I got back to the dorms."

Thomas shook his head and chuckled.

"Late last night, Brutus was hell bent on doing the same," Thomas replied, "It's funny, I actually like him. We had a pretty good time last night. I'm glad you're going to give him a chance."

Chris nodded and sighed.

"I wish he'd get here," Chris began, "I know you said he was fine, but I have to see it to believe it."

As Chris finished his sentence, Brutus and Janet walked through the door. Brutus grinned as Chris jumped up from the bed and embraced him. The human nuzzled the dog's uninjured cheek and pulled back with a smile.

"I'm so happy to see you," Chris began, "God I was worried."

Brutus chuckled.

"A little old car crash isn't going to hurt a guy like me," Brutus beamed, "I'm glad you made it back in one piece."

Janet leaned in and put a paw on Brutus's shoulder.

"Remember what we talked about Brutus," Janet began, "Try and relax, and keep your heartrate down."

Brutus chuckled.

"I promise Janet," The Dalmatian chuckled, "I'll stay in my bed tonight."

Janet slapped the dog's back good-naturedly and looked down at her fiancé.

"Jeez, Thomas get some clothes on," The vixen smirked, "I've got places to go."

Thomas shook his head.

"I can walk home baby," The fox replied, "It's not that far."

Janet crossed her arms.

"You will do no such thing," Janet huffed, "It's 3 degrees out there right now, you're out of your mind if you think I'm letting you walk home."

Thomas sighed and got out of bed. He bent down to grab his shirt from Chris's floor and pulled it over his head. The male put his paw on Janet's shoulder and bent down to kiss her cheek.

"You need anything Chris?" Thomas asked, "Brutus?"

The younger males shook their heads. Janet grabbed Thomas's shoulder and drug him out of the room.

"Have fun you two," Janet called back as the door closed shut behind her.

Chris blinked.

"What's up with Janet?" Chris asked, "She's not..."

"Being a bitch?" Brutus offered.

"Yeah," Chris chuckled and shook his head, "It's nice. I suppose the why isn't important."

Brutus chuckled and hugged the human again. The Dalmatian sniffed over the human and chuckled.

"Make a friend last night?" Brutus asked.

Chris blushed and pulled back. He looked down at his feet and sighed.

"Yeah," Chris replied, "Just a friend."

Brutus's tail wagged.

"Good," Brutus began, "I'm glad you made a friend."

Chris stayed silent.

"Was he good?" Brutus asked, "You know, in bed?"

"Yeah he was," Chris replied, "I had a lot of fun with him, but, something was missing."

Brutus's ears perked up.

"I don't think I'm big into hook-ups," Chris chuckled, "I liked the last time with Mitch more, even though it wasn't as good."

Brutus smiled.

"Because it meant something," The Dalmatian began, "I can understand that."

Chris nodded and looked up at the Dalmatian.

"I'm glad we're talking again," Brutus began, "Does this mean we're ok now?"

Chris sat down on his bed, still looking into the Doberman's eyes.

"Yeah," Chris replied, "We are."

Brutus sat down on his bed, and took a deep breath.

"Can I ask you something?" Brutus began.

Chris chuckled and took a deep breath as well. He moved over to Brutus's bed and sat beside the Dalmatian. Brutus's tail started to wag, the appendage moving faster as Chris's hand clasped the Dalmatian's paw.

"Only if I can ask you something first," Chris replied.

"Of course," Brutus began, "J-."

Brutus was cut off by the human's soft palm on the uninjured side of his muzzle. He gasped, the inside of his ears turning red, as Chris leaned in and kissed him softly. The Dog shuddered and kissed back, a soft whine escaping his lips. The human pulled away and blushed hard.

"Will you be my boyfriend?" Chris asked.

Brutus nodded and nuzzled the human's cheek.

"Yes," Brutus began, "Of course."

Chris chuckled and nuzzled the Dalmatian back. Brutus looked over the human and sighed, his muzzle resting against Chris's shoulder. Chris blinked and wrapped his arms around the canine.

"What's the matter?" Chris asked, "Aren't you happy?"

"Yeah," Brutus chuckled unconvincingly, "I'm ecstatic, but I feel bad for feeling that way."

"Why do you feel bad?" Chris asked, "Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Of course," Brutus's ears drooped, "I feel selfish."

Chris sighed.

"Seriously," Brutus began, "I'm sick Chris, I can't give you a real relationship."

Chris scoffed.

"How?" Chris asked, "Sex isn't all that matters in a relationship."

Brutus shook his head.

"It's a big part of it," Brutus whined, "What if you aren't happy?"

"There is something I can do," Chris began, "That should let us, you know, do it. There are drugs I can take to minimize my risk of getting it."

Brutus growled and shook his head.

"Don't you dare," Brutus replied, "Those drugs aren't like the ones they prescribe for HIV-negative people. They're made for furs. They've got crazy side-effects for humans."

Chris sighed.

"I did my research," Chris began, "They make them for humans now, really, I can show you the article I found."

Brutus sighed.

"Sex won't matter if you feel too sick to actually have it. Those doctors can't help the rollercoaster ride those things put your body through." Brutus shook his head, "I don't think you should."

"The side effects go away after two months," Chris replied.

"How do you know I'm worth it?" Brutus asked, "It's a pretty big cost to you."

Chris sighed and lifted Brutus's chin up.

"Because I have a feeling that you are," Chris looked into Brutus's eyes, "Here's a better question, would you do it for me?"

Brutus hesitated and nodded.

"God you are like a Fur," Brutus chuckled, "I bet you're pretty damn good at reading people."

Chris chuckled.

"I've been able to read people since I was small," Chris began, "I want to do this, but if it's still bothering you, we can talk about it again before I talk to my parents about it."

Brutus nodded.

"So now that we're dating," Brutus began, "I guess we have to go on dates right?"

Chris chuckled and blushed.

"I suppose that's right," Chris replied, "Want to go on a date with me?"

Brutus pulled the human in close and nuzzled him. Chris giggled and planted a kiss on the Dalmatian's cheek.

"There's a new Damon Kane movie out," Brutus began, "Have you heard of him?"

Chris shook his head.

"What?!" Brutus pulled away from the human, "It's settled then, we've got to go." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That evening

Brutus and Chris pulled into the movie theater parking lot in Andy's truck. The Dalmatian parked close to the entrance of the bland, brick-like building and turned the truck off. Chris smiled and looked over at his new boyfriend.

"It was really nice of Andy to let us borrow his truck," Chris began, "Although he seemed way more excited than he should have been."

Brutus chuckled.

"He didn't do it for free," Brutus replied, "I had to give him dating advice."

"Oh?" Chris began as he got out of the car, "Who does he want to date?"

"Karina," Brutus chuckled, "Who else?"

"Does he have a chance?" Chris asked.

"I don't know," Brutus began, "I think I gave him some good advice."

The pair started walking across the iced over parking lot, Brutus's paw on Chris's shoulder.

"What did you tell him?" Chris asked.

Brutus chuckled and brushed off the question as he walked up to the ticket counter.

"Two for Spots," Brutus began as he put a pawful of money on the counter.

The woman behind the counter, a dour faced brunette with braided hair, looked over Brutus and Chris and shook her head disapprovingly. She rang them up, and handed two tickets to the Dalmatian.

"It'll be in the upstairs theater," The woman began, "Try to keep it PG, I don't want to have to clean up any messes."

Brutus nodded and led Chris further into the theater. The lobby of the theater was small, and smelled faintly of burnt popcorn and mildew. The white, faux-marble concessions counter had a small line in front of it, made up mainly of human middle-schoolers going to the newest teen-werewolf movie. The human looked back at the woman as Chris and Brutus got in line.

"What was that about?" Chris asked, "Were we really that obnoxious?"

Brutus shook his head and sighed.

"You wouldn't understand," Brutus began, "Speciesism is still alive and strong."

Chris hung his head.

"I should have warned you," Brutus continued, "People aren't thrilled to see Furs and Humans, well, dating."

Chris shook his head.

"Thomas already warned me," Chris replied, "I suppose I didn't really believe him. Does it get worse?"

Brutus shrugged.

"Generally no," Brutus replied as the line moved up slightly, "Just don't be confrontational. That never helps."

A young Irish Setter waved from the register further down the counter.

"Hey I can help whoever's next," The teenager began, "There's no one in my line."

The humans ahead of Chris and Brutus looked at the dog disdainfully and stayed where they were. Brutus chuckled and walked him and Chris to the Irish Setter's till.

"Those idiots are going to waiting for a while," Brutus said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "I'd rather have Dog fur in my popcorn than acne scabs."

The pockmarked cashier with greasy, shoulder-length black hair at the other till rolled his eyes and helped the next person in his line. The Irish Setter beamed at the sight of people in his line and leaned forward on the counter.

"What can I get for you?" The young male smiled.

Brutus leaned in close and planted a kiss below Chris's ear, his paws wrapping around the human's waist.

"What do you want baby?" Brutus asked.

Chris shuddered and moved away from the Dalmatian.

"One special with two Cokes and a king-size bag of licorice," Brutus continued, "If you please good sir."

The Irish Setter's tail wagged furiously as he got the couple's food and drinks. The Fur set the goods down on the counter and rang them up on his cash register.

"That'll be 25 dollars," The young male began, "I know, it's a lot, but I can't give discounts to nice people."

Brutus chuckled and pulled his wallet out from his back pocket. He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it over to the other dog.

"Thank you," The dog began, "Thank you for giving me a chance."

Brutus nodded and took the food and drinks in his arms.

"Have a good night kid," Brutus said with a smile.

Brutus and Chris walked up the stairs and into the darkened, and aside from a few Fur couples, empty. Chris sighed and crossed his arms. Brutus popped a pawful of popcorn in his mouth and chuckled.

"What?" Brutus asked, "What did I do?"

"Didn't you just say not to be confrontational?" Chris asked, "What the hell were you doing out there?"

Brutus sighed.

"I'm sorry," Brutus began, "I got carried away, I don't like seeing that shit."

"What if they do something about it?" Chris sighed, "Besides, I can't believe you'd do something like that with me in public."

Brutus sighed.

"I'm sorry ok," Brutus replied, "Nothing's going to come out of it. You don't have to worry."

Chris looked up at the Dalmatian and sighed.

"Ok," Chris began, "I believe you."

Brutus smiled and put an arm around his boyfriend.

"Now help me eat all of this popcorn," Brutus began, "I don't want to feel like a fatty."

Chris chuckled and reached over to grab a handful of popcorn. The trailers started showing, all of them showcasing films about Furs. Chris blinked.

"I haven't heard of any of these movies or actors," Chris began, "I don't think I've ever really seen a Fur movie before."

Brutus chuckled.

"They really don't get played that much," Brutus replied, "The only people who really care about Fur movies are Furs and weird humans, like you."

Chris rolled his eyes.

"But Damon Kane," Brutus continued, "He's been taking lead roles in human movies, controversial ones, like this movie."

"What's this movie about?" Chris asked, "Why is it controversial?"

Brutus chuckled dirtily.

"It's about a Fur who seduces a woman," Brutus began, "A human woman."

"How's that controversial?" Chris asked, "They do that shit for laughs in kid's movies."

"They don't have on-screen sex in those kids movies," Brutus replied, "Very erotic, explicit sex."

Chris rolled his eyes.

"You know that I'm gay right?" Chris shook his head, "Why would I want to see a movie with straight sex in it?"

Brutus shrugged and sipped his drink.

"Cause the main guy is hot as fuck," Brutus began, "Now shush up, the movie's starting."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chris and Brutus were the first couple out of the movie theater. The movie was good, for a two and a half hour long tragic love story, that is. Brutus threw the couples junk into the garbage and led Chris out through the now empty lobby. Brutus sighed.

"I can't believe they hung him to death at the end," Brutus began, "That is just typical Hollywood bullshit."

Chris rolled his eyes.

"That's the only way it could have ended," Chris replied, "If he would have lived happily ever after the film wouldn't have had a climax."

Brutus sighed.

"You're right," Brutus began, his eyes widening at the crowd of people outside, "What the fuck...?"

Brutus and Chris stepped outside to a chorus of jeers and abuse. The greasy cashier stood at the front of the mob with an older, fatter version of himself beside him. The older man looked down at his son, spit a mouthful of chew into an empty water bottle, and cleared his throat.

"Is that them?" The older man asked.

The boy nodded his head. The older man frowned and turned to look at the couple.

"Evening kiddos," The older man began, "I heard from my son that you were disrespecting him this evening. Is that true?"

Chris opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a heavy paw on his shoulder. The human sighed and bit his lip, nervously eyeing the angry mob.

"All this because of one guy expressing his right to free speech?" Brutus chuckled, "Yeah, I did, but only to prove a point."

The cashier's father threw his head back and laughed.

"People are protected by the First Amendment, puppy," The human spat, "Not biological aberrations like you."

"Hey, we evolved first buddy," Brutus snapped, "Don't give me that speciesist bullshit."

The crowd grumbled and raved with anger. Chris sighed and stepped forward.

"Look, we're sorry," Chris began, "Truly, we are, we don't want a confrontation."

"I didn't ask for your opinion furfucker," The older man began, "Shut the fuck up and let your faggot boyfriend try to handle this."

Brutus snarled and lunged forward, teeth bared. Chris pulled the Dalmatian back and got between Brutus and the crowd. The cashier's father laughed uproariously.

"You'd better put a muzzle on your dog," The man jibbed, "Otherwise Animal Control might have to come and put him down."

Chris sighed and looked up at his mate as the other furred couples from the theater walked out behind Brutus and Chris. The father laughed at the sight of the crowd of furs. Chris turned to look at him and promptly was coated in a splash of tobacco chew spit. The crowd laughed and dissipated, feeling that justice had been done. The human shuddered and hung his head, brown drops of foul-smelling liquid rolling from his hair and face.

"Are you boys ok?" A hefty female golden retriever asked, "They didn't hurt you did they."

Brutus calmed down and looked over at his mate. His eyes widened and the dog put his paws on the human's shoulder. The Dalmatian whined and nodded.

"I think we are," The Dalmatian replied, "I need to get him home."

"Do you want us to call the cops?" A male cougar asked, "Those guys were way out of line."

Brutus sighed and shook his head.

"We've had enough drama for one night," Brutus sighed, "Thank you though."

Brutus put an arm around Chris and walked him to Andy's truck. The human bit back tears, his head hung and his face red. Chris got into the passenger seat without a word. The Dalmatian sighed and watched as the human pulled a cream colored rag from the dash and wiped as much of the noxious smelling liquid off of his face and hair as he could.

"Chris," Brutus began as he got into the vehicle, "I-."

"Don't" Chris sniffled, "I just want to go home."

Brutus nodded and put the truck into drive. The Dalmatian put on the university's radio station and flooded the otherwise silent cab with a brooding Linkin Park song. Chris looked out the window, his hand clutching his thigh. At the first red light the pair reached, the Dalmatian reached over and held the human's hand until they made it back home.

Brutus parked the car in front of the dorms and got out of it with a sigh. He looked over at Chris and opened his door for him.

"Just go up and shower baby," Brutus began, "I'll bring your shower stuff in once I drop off Andy's keys."

The human nodded.

"Thank you Brutus," Chris sighed, "You'll be quick right?"

The Dalmatian nodded and walked into the dorms with Chris. The pair got into the elevator and rode it to their respective floors. Chris sniffled and hustled into the men's bathroom. He went into the shower nearest to the door and shed his dirty clothes, putting his chew stained shirt in a separate pile from the rest of his clothes.

He got into the shower, turned the water on, and started to wash the chew-spit out of his hair. The human sighed and put his arms around himself. He perked up at the sound of a soft knock on the shower door.

"Chris?" Brutus said softly, "Is that you?"

"Yeah," Chris replied, "Come in."

The door rattled as Brutus jimmied his way past the thin bolt that kept the door closed. He set the human's towel and shower gear down on the narrow yellow bench in the shower stall and stripped naked himself. Brutus got into the shower, holding the human's shampoo and soap in each paw. Chris took both of the items and started cleaning himself.

"Are you ok baby?" Brutus asked, his eyes looking the human over for any physical injury, "He didn't hurt you did he?"

Chris shook his head and washed the shampoo out of his head.

"You said I wouldn't have to worry," Chris sighed, "I can't believe people can still be like that."

Brutus shrugged.

"The Non-Human Personhood Act was only signed into law 45 years ago," Brutus began, "It takes a while for people to realize that minorities aren't that different from them. You know that."

Chris sniffled. The Dalmatian whined and held the human closely to him.

"I can't do this again Brutus," Chris began, "The last time anything like this happened I nearly died. Did I tell you about that?"

Brutus put his chin on top of the human's head.

"Thomas did last night," Brutus replied, his arms wrapping tighter around the human, "I would never let anything like that happen to you again."

Chris started to cry.

"What if that happens to you?" Chris sobbed, "What if it's my fault that you get hurt?"

Brutus rubbed Chris's back and shook his head.

"No baby," Brutus began, "It would never be your fault. Ok?"

Chris nodded but continued to cry. Brutus held the human tighter as Chris's slender fingers found purchase in Brutus's back fur. The Dalmatian sighed and licked the human's cheek and, after finding it was clean, licked up Chris's tears. The human giggled and looked down.

"Hey," Chris looked up at the Dalmatian, a fragile smile on his face, "What are you doing for Thanksgiving?"

Brutus shrugged.

"Staying here," Brutus pulled back from the human, "Why do you ask?"

Chris smiled.

"Want to come home with me?" Chris asked, "My parents said I could bring a friend home for Thanksgiving weekend."

Brutus's tail wagged.

"I'd love to baby," Brutus replied.

Chris's smile turned into a grin.

"Great," Chris began, "I'll call Thomas up tomorrow and let him know."

Brutus chuckled and held the human close, the warm water rolling over both of them. They stayed like that for a few minutes, enjoying the shared comfortable silence.

"Are you finished up here?" Brutus asked, "Because right now, I really just want to crawl into bed with you."

Chris shook his head.

"You head to bed," Chris leaned up to plant a kiss on the Dalmatian's chin, "I'll get in with you when I finish."

The Dalmatian nodded and chuckled.

"Hurry baby," Brutus began, "Because I'm going to snuggle the living shit out of you."

Chris chuckled and smiled.

"I'll be quick."