FSE

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Seth couldn't help but sigh at his watch. Another hour in this place and he could go relax, maybe sit down and read a book if he wasn't needed by his father afterwards for some errand or other. Maybe he could just... but there he went again, his mind wandering instead of focusing on the sermon taking place not five feet from him. What was it about again? Wages of sin and all that? He'd only been half paying attention the entire time, though no one would have known it by looking at him.

There he was, behind the pulpit with some of the others of the church. His mother, some of the elders of the board or whatever they called it. There weren't too many of them as it was a smaller stage, but each one was very visible from the crowd in the pews, so they always made sure their posture was correct and that they at least looked like they were paying attention despite the spotlights shining in their eyes most the time. That wouldn't have been so bad, if it weren't for the summer heat outside and the fact that Seth was wearing what was, perhaps, the world's most uncomfortable suit. Of course, every suit was like that for him, but he had a reputation as a Taggart to uphold. If not for himself, then for the sake of his father, Ron.

Scanning the crowd, he wasn't sure who was more uncomfortable at the moment, himself or the people staring back at the stage. He was certain every single one had their eyes on him, though his rational mind told him that was simply stage fright or paranoia or something. He'd always sat here, every Sunday, for the past twenty years or so. Okay, maybe not quite so long as that, but it was still for as long he was able to remember. Sure, it'd been a bit challenging when he was younger, but his parents had made sure that behavior stopped as soon as was possible through strict discipline. He was a pastor's son, after all, and so he must be held to a higher standard than other children.

It was the typical story of a youth who kept his grades up and did everything he could to please his parents. Granted, he wasn't the best at it, but he didn't need to be. As much as he sometimes hated being unable to do things that most parents wouldn't bat an eye at otherwise, he supposed he could have been stuck with worse parents, like the stereotypical father who wouldn't tolerate his jock son to do anything less than one-hundred and ten percent. He knew his parents loved him and they simply wanted him to do well... that and maintain a 'personal relationship with our lord and savior' etc. He could recite it in his sleep... actually, he was certain he had recited it in his sleep.

Stifling a yawn, Seth's eyes subtly wandered for the umpteenth time over the crowd. All the regular church members were there, of course. Older people in front, or younger couples. Families usually in the middle or back, depending on how well they wanted to hear the sermon. Some new faces, though not wholly unexpected. Half of them looked about as bored as he felt, really, and the stuffy air was not helping anyone stay awake. A few were held with rapt attention, with one or two wet eyes... his father must have hit a particularly strong nerve with that one, though for the life of him he couldn't remember what it was as his mind tended to tune it all out.

A chill passed through him and he sat up straighter, a sudden and inexplicable sense of unease gripping him. Frowning, he scanned the crowd again before his eyes settled on what he assumed was the reason. Someone was actually looking at him, and with rapt attention at that. A man in one of the shorter pews nearer the back, usually reserved. He was sitting there... no, he was reclining somewhat, seeming completely at ease as he patiently watched Seth like some sort of cat. The eyes certainly gave off that impression; Seth met that pair of ice-blue before feeling something stir inside him. He could almost lose himself in those eyes, but years of training quickly suppressed that sudden feeling inside him before he could fully process it. This man, whoever he was, seemed charged with some kind of energy, and he knew it with the way he was dressed. Granted, it was still 'church attire', in that it was a suit, but his muscular and inked chest was far too exposed to be called modest. His 'slacks', for lack of a better term, were just tight enough as to accentuate every curve imaginable without being outright lewd.

As if noticing his roving gaze, the man gave him a cocky grin before repositioning himself as if he were a product on display trying to get the best angle possible. It wasn't just a movement either... the very motion seemed to beckon to him, entice without words...

Turning his gaze away quickly, he stared at the balding spot on the back of his father's head, his face turning what he assumed to be a violent shade of beet-red. What on earth had just happened there? Confused, he almost didn't notice everyone beginning to gather their belongings until his ear picked up on the 'see you next week' speech. Gathering his own things, he made an excuse and quickly walked toward the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

Splashing some water on his face, he spluttered a bit as some went up his nose. So much for that movie trick, though he had to admit the cold water felt good after a few moments. Looking up at the mirror, he noticed for the first time exactly how he looked. Instead of the usual mask mask of perfect humility he wore around his family, he saw the face of a man who had been beaten down one too many times. The bags under his eyes, the way he looked old despite his youth. It was enough for him to utter a heart-wrenching sigh as he felt the weight of the world bearing down on him.

"It's not a pretty sight, is it?"

Turning around with a start, Seth realized he was face to face with the man from before. It wasn't exactly a large bathroom, but there was enough space for a few people to be in here if necessary. Even so, this man was far too close for his own comfort, though the warmth radiating from him felt strangely welcoming. He wasn't so close they were touching, of course, but for a few moments the air between them seemed... electrified? He wasn't sure how to describe the energy and tension he felt, but it was enough to cause him to hesitate.

"Speechless, I see," he chuckled, grinning wider. "That's alright, of course. I understand I'm a bit off-putting to people like you, at least at first."

"Um... can I help you? Mr., ah..."

"Connors. Davin Connors. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Taggart."

Seth absentmindedly took the hand offered to him, suddenly finding himself drawn to this strange man. It wasn't just the touch that lingered a little too long, or the eyes, or the smile... it wasn't even the musky smell that seemed to permeate his senses and fill his head with a faint fogginess. There was just something genuinely interesting about him.

"My, you do have a lot of tension in those muscles of yours," Davin commented, bringing Seth back to where he was. He mumbled an apology as he awkwardly cleared his throat, taking his hand away and averting his gaze slightly until a thought occurred to him.

"Wait, how did you get in here? I thought I..."

"The door was unlocked, and I wanted to freshen up a bit before I went back to work in an hour... and then I found you here, looking so sadly into the mirror."

"I... sorry you had to see that. I was just, um..."

"No need to apologize," Davin interrupted. "We all get lost in thought at times. Though, if you ever want to relieve some of that stress of yours, feel free to visit me sometime. The address is on that card there."

"Card?" Seth asked, looking down to see the business card in his hand. Staring at it as if it was going to rear up and bite him, he felt a hand against the side of his face as his head was moved to gaze up into those piercing eyes once again.

"My, my... you are far too cute for a place like this..."

Chuckling, Davin turned to leave, giving Seth a good view of his backside before he was left alone once again.

Turning back to the mirror, he hung his head down over the sink and closed his eyes, thinking about what just happened. Feelings he hadn't known had been there... no, that he'd always been able to ignore before were now bubbling to the surface, churning in a froth of... what, restlessness? Anxiety?

"What the hell?!" he growled at no one in particular, before realizing his slip of the tongue. Hoping no one outside had heard him, he quickly finished up and left. He was a Taggart, after all, and he had a reputation to uphold.

*******

Holding up the card to read it for the umpteenth time, Seth wondered why he was going through so much trouble just to find this man again. Sure, it had been several days and he'd had plenty of time to think over his experience, but something was nagging at him all the same. It hadn't helped that when he'd confided in his father about it, while leaving some obvious details out of the story, that he'd been met with an odd feeling that he'd somehow let the entire church down. After a stern lecture and a bit of the old religious routine, he'd left the church in an even darker mood than he'd been in before.

Guilt hung over his head like a scarlet letter, and he was sure that the heavens were judging him for his weakness. But after so many sleepless nights and his feelings of rejection, he'd decided to finally look at the card he'd been given with the thought of confronting the man about their previous meeting. What he'd assumed was simply a piece of paper with the man's number turned into something that alarmed Seth even more; the man had given him a card for a local bar downtown, simply named Deviant Delights. In that moment he had been glad he'd hidden it from his father, despite the extra guilt that the omission of truth had done to his subconscious later on.

And now, here he was, the details of the card nearly committed to memory even as he double-checked the print one more time. Confirming he was headed the correct way, he nodded to himself and turned right. As he walked, he noticed that his surroundings were being filled more and more with drunkenness and debauchery, despite it still being early in the evening and most of the big nightclubs not even pounding out music yet. And that wasn't even the half of it; here and there random fights broke out, gambling was taking place, and other such activities that would have made him blush at any other time. Yet, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, even the brawlers who seemed to know when to stop. It was a stark contrast to the sterile environment he'd always been raised in, and definitely not the kind of crowd that would be caught dead in a church. Nevermind that half of them weren't even humans, even if they once had been.

Anthros, the news had called them, though the community simply referred to themselves as furs most the time. What had started as an epidemic some 50 years ago had somehow evolved into just another everyday reality for the people of earth. Despite this, there were still staunch opponents to the acceptance of these new species, including his own father and, to a lesser extent, himself. While his father was insisting it was because of the 'end times', 'sin', or 'demons' most the time, Seth was more open to the scientific explanations and speculations. He figured if a god created the universe and everything in it, this had to be part of the plan too. Though, due to his upbringing and his father's constant disapproval, he found himself uneasy around them despite having grown up with them in school and such. It was something that he wasn't proud of, even as he caved under his father's tutelage.

Lost in thought, Seth didn't notice until he'd bumped into someone in front, causing him to start. Whirling around, a large lion anthro sneered at him, flexing aggressively as he sized up the small human.

"Watch where you're goin', meat!" snarled the lion, causing Seth to flinch.

"I'm sorry!"

"Damn right you're sorry! You're gonna be sorry if I-"

"That's enough, Mark. I don't pay you to intimidate the customers."

"Sir! I..." Mark stammered, before another paw silenced him.

"No excuses. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were filled with far too much wrath."

The hiss on that last word caused the hairs on the back of Seth's neck to stand on end. Collecting himself, he looked past Mark to see a somewhat smaller lion walking towards him, though both were far larger than the human. But this one's appearance was far different; for one, instead of the padded feet of a feline he had the hooves of a bull. As if to match this, curving ivory horns jutted out from the fur's head, etched with all kinds of pictures and designs. The hair on his body varied from the dark brown of a bovine to the warm, dirty blonde colors he'd expected of a lion, both seeming to blend in around the waist just above his belt.

"Come in, come in," the fur encouraged, wrapping an arm around his shoulders before Seth could gather his wits to protest. Then again, perhaps a few moments to sit down and collect his thoughts would do some good. He could still hear his heart in his ears as his adrenaline flowed through his system.

"Thanks," he stammered to the hybrid, feeling like he should say something.

"No problem at all, Mr. Taggart," came the rumbling, soothing voice. "You are our guest here, after all. And don't worry too much about Mark seeking revenge or some such nonsense; he's actually quite the softie once you get on his good side. But we get all sorts here at Deviant Delights, and sometimes that means dealing with bigoted protesters, religious riff-raff, and other such people."

"Oh, so I found it, then?"

"Found the place? Or do you mean... something else?"

"The... place, um, sir." Seth found himself flustered once again. "I was invited here by a, um, Mr. Connors...?"

Taking the card from him, the fur seemed to be reading something before he chuckled. "Ah, yes, I remember now. You took your time making up your mind, didn't you? Though with someone of your upbringing, that's to be expected. Your kind are always so... bashful."

Swinging a door open at the end of the hall - Seth hadn't even realized they'd entered the building proper - the pair were greeted with a blast of music that reverberated to the bone. Clamping his hands to his ears, Seth squinted against the lights of the dance floor and stage as he was guided through the crowd. Before too long he found himself sitting at a booth, with the fur reclining across the table from him.

"Oh, is the music too loud for you? My apologies. I do forget it can be a bit deafening to new clients at first. Here, allow me..."

A wave of the paw, and suddenly the area surrounding the booth dimmed slightly. The music was far quieter now, which confused Seth a bit on how it was being done. He just assumed it was some kind of feature of the club, grateful for his eardrums at least.

"So, Mr. Taggart. What brings you to my night club? If it were because of my invitation alone, you would have been here much, much sooner."

"Sorry... I just... wait, your invitation?"

"Yes. You said you were looking for someone named Mr. Connors, yes? Well, here I am, in the flesh. Truth be told, I half-expected you to throw my card away the moment I left. I'm glad you didn't."

"You can't be him, though," Seth said, spluttering a bit. "The man who gave me this card was human... no offense?"

"No offense given or taken, though I appreciate your concern for my well-being," purred Davin, resting his arms on the booth seat to either side of him. Meeting Seth's gaze with his own ice-blue eyes, he gave a genuine, friendly smile. "Relax. You're far too tense for someone so handsome. Too stressed. It'll kill you by the time you're forty if you keep treating yourself this way. You're safe here, so just relax and enjoy yourself. If only for a few moments."

"I, ah... sorry," Seth said, somehow feeling ashamed. Though he had to admit, he was already starting to feel muscles loosen that he'd forgotten about. Was he really that wound up?

"As for me not being human, that's something I can clear up right now."

With the snap of his fingers, the air around the fur shimmered as his form turned into that of the human from before, though he was shirtless. Instead of the slacks from before, he was dressed in skintight leather pants and boots. Gawking, Seth's eyes traced up and down, noticing more tattoos than before... and were those gold nipple rings?! Of course all those had been there before, hadn't they? He'd just been rattled by his experience with the bouncer, and the face of that handsome-

Shaking his head, he banished those thoughts again before he felt a hand resting on his own from across the table. Looking up, he saw concern in Davin's eyes.

"I hope you don't mind, me being a daemon," he said, which caused Seth to almost recoil in disgust. And yet, he found himself unwilling to offend him. Especially if it meant he was in some kind of demonic lair. But Davin looked at him with such tenderness and concern, he lowered his guard before sighing heavily.

"I don't know what to think anymore," Seth said, nearly sobbing. He was suddenly overcome by emotion, tears welling up in his eyes. "It's all so hard, you know? My job, my life..."

"An overbearing father with cookie-cutter expectations for his son," added Davin, causing Seth to look up at him angrily.

"Don't talk about my father that way."

"Apologies. But that's how you feel, isn't it? If I'm wrong, I will gladly let you have anything on our menu, free of charge."

"You're... not wrong," sighed Seth. "I told him about you earlier and he just scolded me. As if I'd done something wrong. All we did was talked."

"Exactly," Davin said, reclining once more. Seth found himself missing the warmth of that hand suddenly. "We talked, I gave you that card... though I admit, I did tease you a little. But nothing you did was 'wrong' or 'immoral'. However, you're not wrong to be angry with me. I'm a stranger making observations of your family without having even met them. It's just I've seen your type in my bar so many times and it always boils down to the same issues."

"I didn't realize so many church-goers were secretly into these clubs," joked Seth, chuckling a bit darkly. "A demon's bar, no less."

"Daemon," corrected Davin, though there wasn't any of the venom he'd expected. "You know, demons and angels are the same thing. The only thing separating them is what they stand for. We're all daemons, though."

"Then what are you?" Seth asked, genuinely curious.

"You mean what do I stand for? What I'm charged by?" asked Davin, a cocky smile on his face. "...Hm. Why don't you tell me what you think, first? Though I'll narrow it down for you: I'm one of your 'deadly sins' you so like to preach about."

"...One of those huh?" Seth warily asked, his heart racing a bit. But he was safe here; even if the demon... no, the daemon went back on his word, he had his faith to protect him. Even lacking that, there were rules this daemon had to follow. Oh, he'd heard about them alright. Daemons had been the reason furs even existed, though they were also the reason that the epidemic that had created them had been kept from rampaging and changing the whole world entirely. But for as many of those that were seen as 'demonic', there were just as many 'angelic' ones. Angels would watch over him, his father had always said, and he wasn't entirely wrong on that. From what he'd heard, there was an entire council dedicated to making sure daemons didn't do what they weren't supposed to do, no matter what they were.

"You okay?" Davin asked, causing Seth to snap out of his thoughts. "You look cute when you're daydreaming, but I would still like an answer."

"...Sorry," Seth said, blushing. "But... um, I guess your elder daemon is Lust."

"Did the lack of a shirt give it away, or was it my nipple rings?" asked Davin, laughing as the human's face grew even redder than before. "Or perhaps you knew all along. That hidden voice inside, telling you what I am. Because it speaks to me, as well."

"So I'm right, then," Seth sighed. Of all the 'sins' out there, it had to be Lust. "I guess I should leave, then... I..."

"I won't do anything you don't want me to. And that's not just because of the retribution I'd face if I did," Davin said, making no move to stop him. "I'd like you to stay, but it is ultimately your choice whether you go or not. Although, you're not entirely right in your answer."

"I'm not?" Seth asked, surprised and curious. "What do you mean?"

"I don't work for the elder daemon Lust," Davin said, smiling as Seth sat back down. "I am the elder daemon Lust. Though 'Lust' is such a simple title and doesn't quite explain everything. But call me Davin. Formalities just get in the way when trying to have a conversation with someone as cute as you."

Seth was speechless and horrified... and yet, he couldn't help but feel some kind of excitement even as his mouth dried up. Trying to swallow, he ended up coughing a bit before looking away in embarrassment.

"Let me get you some water," Davin said, rising slowly from his seat. His every move seemed to deliberately draw his attention, and Seth found himself not caring if his eyes betrayed him or not. "You can still leave, of course, but I hope you'll be here when I come back. I'll understand, either way."

Before he knew it, Seth was alone with his own thoughts once again. He couldn't get that figure out of his head no matter how hard he tried, though as time passed and the music played he found his will crumbling. It wasn't like he was under some spell or strange curse. He simply didn't want to leave, no matter how much his training was screaming at him to do just that. But if he left right that second, he knew what would happen. He would go to the church, or his father, or both. He'd 'confess his sins' and be scolded for even entertaining the thought of going to such a place. If he wasn't outright banished from church, he'd have to undergo rigorous penance while bearing the crushing weight of his own shame... the very thought of such rejection and hostility sounded worse than whatever fate he'd suffer at the hands of this daemon.

"You're still here," he heard Davin say, causing him to just slowly nod. "Why?"

"...I can't do it anymore," Seth sighed, taking the glass of water from the daemon. "I just... can't."

"I could hear your heart from across the room," Davin said, unfazed by the vague statement as he watched the human drinking the water. "You can't do it anymore. You won't."

"No. I won't," Davin sighed. "Even if nothing happens to me here I just... I can't do it anymore. I do everything I can to be perfect in front of the congregation, to not shame my father's name in public... I have to be perfect. All the time! Even when I'm home and away from it all, I can't just do what I want! It's not fair! Why can't I just... who am I?"

"You are whoever you wish to be," Davin said, the smile gone. "But you don't even know that, do you? Not your fault. You're like a flower without the sun, living in your father's shadow like that."

"Not just him, either. It's my entire family, and the damn church I belong to, and... being a Taggart even! I just wish I was someone else. Then maybe I could be happy for once."

Seeing the wide grin forming on Davin's face caused Seth to clap his hand over his mouth in alarm, his eyes widening. Chuckling, Davin slowly shook his head before looking at him with a strange intensity.

"I'm not a genie, Mr. Taggart. A simple wish won't do anything to you. Though if that is what you truly desire... well, I can make that happen. For a price."

"What, like my soul?" Seth wryly said, causing the daemon to laugh even louder. He'd only been half-joking, but now he felt like he'd made a huge fool out of himself somehow.

"No no, nothing like that," Davin said, waving dismissively. "We don't deal in souls, even if we might have in the past. Truth is a soul is only so nourishing, especially if taken unwillingly. Besides, it's as unnecessary as it is illegal. Your 'angels' would have my head."

"Then what price? What are you talking about?" Seth asked, slightly irritated now.

"Mmm... it depends. Most of the time it's something small, but it's always something you can pay. Kind of like a bar tab."

"So... depending on what I 'order' I'll have a different 'tab'," said Seth, following the daemon's analogy. "I think I get it. Is that why we're in a bar, then?"

"I just happen to like bars," said Davin, shrugging. "Though you do know you're in a gay bar, yes? For men, specifically?"

"Huh?" asked Seth. Standing up slowly, he peeked over the booth to see a variety of people and furs on the dance floor, grinding against each other. They were all men, just like Davin had said. A few even winked at him from the bar before he hastily sat back down.

"You didn't know?" asked Davin, causing Seth to shake his head in astonishment. "Well... I thought I'd made it more obvious on the card. Though I suppose you had something else on your mind so I can't blame you for missing that detail."

"...So you haven't done anything to me, right?" asked Seth. "I need to be sure, here."

"I've done nothing to you that would affect your free will," Davin answered, looking slightly bored. He must have answered this a thousand times before. "Everything you've done since we have met has been of your own volition. It's all you, and it's still you."

"Sorry," Seth sighed. "I'm just not used to all this. But what did you mean earlier?"

"About making your wish come true? Well, if you'll follow me to the bar, I can show you. Don't forget your glass, though."

"Oh, right," Seth said, picking up his nearly empty glass of water as he got up out of his seat. He braced himself, but the music around him never grew any louder as he followed the fur to the bar. Whatever magic this was, it seemed to follow them around even as he fought his own confusion. Everything he was thinking and feeling was all him? It felt so wrong and shameful, and yet he felt as if he was on the verge of understanding something about himself that he'd been ignoring all this time.

"Take a seat, cutie," said Davin, winking as he patted a bar stool. As Seth sat down, Davin raised a section of the counter before stepping through, leaving it up for the moment. He stopped in front of Seth before leaning over slightly, smiling as the human met his gaze. "Anything I can get for you?"

"...What... do you have?" Seth asked, curious.

"All sorts of things, but you said you're looking for a change," Davin said, suddenly looking lost in thought. "Well, I suppose we should start with the basics. Human or fur?"

"What?" asked Seth, confused.

"Human, or fur? What do you want to be? What does that voice inside you say, the one that knows all the answers already?"

"...Fur," Seth said, surprising himself.

"I figured," said Davin, reaching for a glass and placing it on the counter. Turning around, he went to a selection of bottles before retrieving a few. "You strike me as someone who'd appreciate a warm and fuzzy feeling over something rough or wet... so let's try one of these three."

The innuendo hadn't been lost on Seth, but he couldn't take his eyes off the bartender daemon as he took his time gathering the ingredients. He was obviously giving him a show, though try as he might to ignore the feelings inside he found a spark of rebellion growing deep within his heart. He wasn't going to be ignored! He deserved better than this! He was...

"This one," he said, tapping on a bottle with a snarling wolf on it. He hadn't even noticed when Davin had placed them in front of him, so lost in his own thoughts he'd been. "What is it?"

"Hair of the Wolf, and yes that's a bad name. But accurate," said Davin, before removing the other two and placing them behind the counter. "They always say alcohol smells the same as it tastes, so why don't you take a small whiff of it? Tell me what you think?"

As Davin opened the bottle and held it out, Seth hesitantly leaned forward. Steeling himself, he took a small sniff before feeling a burning sensation in his nose and throat. Spluttering, he turned his head and took a moment to catch his breath.

"Oh, sorry about that, Mr. Taggart," said Davin, causing the human to shake his head. "I should have warned you; this particular drink is fairly strong. It's a special type of whiskey, though I have other drinks that do the same thing if you'd prefer a different flavor."

"No... that's fine," Seth gruffly said. "I'll have that then. With ice."

"On the rocks it is. Though tell me, how strong would you like the drink?"

"I mean, if I'm going to get drunk I might as well go all out," Seth said, shrugging. "So make it strong. A double I guess? Enough that I won't care about how strange all this is, if possible."

"Just let yourself relax and enjoy the moment, hm? It is a bar, and one with a nice dance floor at that," Davin said, putting words to the feelings inside Seth's heart. "I'll mix your drink right away. One Big Brawny Wolf, coming up."

Seth nodded, before turning in his seat to look at the dance floor. He found himself enticed by the shadowy forms dancing in the dim light of the bar, the lights pulsing and whirling with the music. He found himself even bobbing his head up and down before the clink of a glass on the counter-top drew his attention once more.

"You seem a lot less tense," Davin said, his voice louder. "Having fun?"

"...Would it be weird if I said I was?" laughed Seth, though a pit of anxiety still held tight in his stomach. He hadn't even noticed before now, but whatever magic had been making the music quieter was gone. "So what's this have to do with my wish?"

"The boring answer is it's a transformative elixir. It'll give you the form of a big, brawny wolf anthro."

"What's the fun answer, then?"

"The fun answer is you'll be a wolf in sheep's clothing, at least for the rest of the night. Don't worry about money, this one's on the house. The price for keeping the transformation permanent, however, is different. But until then, drink up and have fun. Just do what comes naturally."

"...Is this really okay?" Seth asked himself, taking the glass into his hand. As if to answer his own question, or perhaps in spite of it, he growled and took a big gulp of the liquid. Coughing, he pounded his chest as he felt his skin tingle, the burning seeming to do more than just travel down his esophagus. Hitting his stomach, he felt himself truly start to relax for the first time in what seemed to be years... no, that was a lie. He couldn't remember ever feeling this relaxed, even as his clothes felt tighter on him.

"You're going to rip those," Davin chuckled, causing Seth to snort in contempt. "Though something tells me you don't mind."

"You don't mind naked furs, do you? It's your fault," Seth laughed, causing Davin to wink at him even as he drank more, the ice of his drink hitting his sharpening teeth. "Unless you've got other clothes back there for me?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. Just finish your drink, handsome," Davin said, leaning in a bit closer. Finding himself captivated by the daemon, Seth hurriedly drank the rest of his whiskey before slamming the glass down on the counter. He felt like he should apologize for that, but the feeling of power and dominance coursing through him made him forget that notion. He hadn't done anything to apologize for.

"I... feel good. Really fucking good," Seth said, not caring if he cursed as fur sprouted all over his body. Bones creaked and groaned as they shifted and rearranged, and warmth pulsed through his muscles in time with the beat of the music surrounding and pounding through him. As his clothes tore, he helped remove them with his own newly formed claws in chunks. Where he expected to be naked, however, he found himself wearing leather instead. Leather pants, though surprisingly no boots. His paws were just too big for that now. Standing up from his seat, he realized he stood around seven feet tall now, and his muscles weren't done growing.

"That's right, let that beast out," Davin said, having returned to his half-bull, half-lion appearance at some point. "There are no sheep here to stifle you, no teeth to nip at you when you step out of line. You can be what you want here."

"Damn right I can," growled Seth, his eyes turning amber even as his fur darkened to a glossy black. Irritated, he tugged as something in the back until he felt his tail poke through the hole in his pants, causing him to wag in relief and happiness. "I didn't know it'd feel this fucking good though..."

"They say alcohol lowers inhibitions. While mine does do that, it also brings out one's true nature, if they allow it to happen," said Davin, smiling as the anthro wolf openly ogled him. "I think you know what you are by now. Even if you didn't know before."

"...I can feel how I was, and how I am..." Seth said, focusing a bit on his thoughts. "This is temporary, right?"

"Unless you make it permanent," Davin said, nodding even as Seth's chest expanded further. Even with the fur he could tell just where one muscle ended and another began. "So tell me something, Mr. Taggart."

"Call me Seth," growled Seth, even as he flashed a toothy smile. "Mr. Taggart is my father."

"Alright then, Seth; what do you want?"

"Besides this?" Seth asked, a flash of his human self coming forward as hesitation crossed his eyes. "...I think I want to have some fun. No, I do want that! I'm gonna go fucking dance!"

His shout caused a few of the other patrons to cheer for him, a few even following his new form as he strode towards the dance floor. He had never done anything like this in his life, but as he melted into the crowd he found it came easily to him. He just let the music pound through his skull, melting both his inhibitions and his thoughts as flesh ground against him from all directions. A hand groping him here and there, a cute little twink grinding his ass against him... he lost track of what and who came across his path until he felt himself overheated and parched. After the current song ended, he walked up to the bar again in a daze only to find a glass of water waiting for him.

"Thanks," he panted, before chugging it down. After a few moments, he looked over to see Davin smiling flirtatiously at him. "...You know, you're pretty damn cute. Though I guess everyone hits on you huh?"

"You sure you want to hit on me? I'm an evil demon out to tempt you, after all," joked Davin, eliciting a laugh from Seth.

"Fuck that church bullshit. I quit."

"Even though you're a Taggart?" prompted Davin.

"Especially because I'm a Taggart!' snarled Seth, slamming a fist on the counter. "Do you understand how miserable I am there, trying my best to make him proud of me? To feel like I'm doing something good and right while I deny everything about myself? I have never felt more free than I do now. I-"

Seth found himself being cut off as Davin's face was suddenly a bit too close, his inviting eyes drawing him in. On instinct, he leaned forward, his lips meeting the daemon's own as he allowed himself to feel aroused. To feel good. To not deny who and what he was any longer.

"Something you want to confess?" Davin asked, breaking the kiss as he scratched a bit under Seth's chin.

"...I'm gay," Seth said, after a moment or two. "I always knew I was. It's... why I tried so hard to hide it. If everyone knew..."

"I'm sure it'd be quite the scandal, hm?" asked Davin, causing Seth to grin wickedly. "You know, you were dancing for hours out there. I'm glad you're having fun."

"Felt like half an hour," Seth said, surprised but not alarmed about it. "Guess I lost track of time. When do you close?'

"We don't close. Daemon bars aren't restricted like human ones, since we can sober people up before they leave if it's going to be a problem. Though once you do leave, that spell wears off and you're back to being human, with your normal clothes and your normal thoughts."

"...And I'll go back to hiding and hating myself," Seth sighed, a moment of clarity coming to him. He hadn't been thinking of anything but dancing and having fun. In fact, most of his thoughts were a bit... less. He was just more in the moment.

"You don't have to hide who you are anymore," Davin said, smiling encouragingly at him. "Your memories aren't going to go away after all."

"But whatever the drink did to me will," said Seth, causing Davin to nod. "Well fuck that! What's your price?"

"My price?" Davin asked, though he already knew what he was talking about.

"To keep me like this!" Seth said, flexing his biceps. "I don't want to be how I was! I want to be like this forever!"

"...Hmm," Davin said, eyeing him up and down. "Let's see... ah. Well, I can take your humanity, since you won't need it. But on top of that, how would you like to be one of my dancers here on Saturday nights? You'd only have to work for me for a few months to pay off your drink. And the monetary pay is good; you wouldn't do this for free, after all."

"Gotta pay rent once daddy disowns me, I guess," sighed Seth, though he felt truly relieved it wasn't a much steeper price. "If that's all it takes, then deal."

"Drink this, then," Davin said, holding out a small flask of dark liquid. "But once you drink it, you can't change back. Understand?"

Without even answering, Seth took the flask and opened it before guzzling down the liquid. It contrasted sharply with the drink he'd had before; instead of burning or alcohol, he tasted the sweetness of a fruit he couldn't quite place, combined with the feeling of a memory he couldn't quite remember. It was strange, yet as soon as the last drop hit his tongue he felt something inside him shift. Coughing, he realized he was exhaling some kind of vapor... his human essence, coalescing into the empty flask. Once the last of it was inside, the flask closed on its own. Dazed, he handed it back to the daemon bartender, who placed it behind the counter.

"How do you feel?" Davin asked, before the muscular wolf looked down at him and flashed a cocky grin.

"I feel good. Right. Like this is how I'm supposed to be. Thank you so much."

"No problem. Now, as for your new job, I think we can start you off as tomorrow's opening act. Though for tonight, just enjoy yourself and do whatever you want, within reason."

"I think I know what I wanna do first," Seth said, handing his phone to Davin. "Can you do me another small favor?"

"Sure, anything for my new employee," Davin said, laughing as he realized the phone was in camera mode.

*******

"And another thing!" the wolf anthro shouted in the video, while adjusting the sizable bulge outlined in his leather pants. "I'm done being a preacher's pet! You all think my dad's so GREAT but did you know he used those tithes last month to buy a new car? He ain't shit! Taggart? Hah. More like 'braggart'!"

People could hardly believe their eyes as they watched the latest viral video trending online. It had only been a couple of days since it was uploaded, but already there were millions of views on it. At first it had thought to have been a hoax, but after an inquiry or two and some sightings it was clearly Seth Taggart, transformed. It wasn't a new thing, of course. People sometimes transformed into furs or furs turned into humans, but always with a daemon's help. But it was another thing for the son of a somewhat famous preacher to not only become a fur himself, but to completely disown his own father and the church to which he used to belong to, stating he'd always been miserable, that he'd never felt like he could be himself, blah blah blah. Yet despite how many times the video was despised and reviled by the more devout, his father had yet to say a single word about it in an official interview. Others were impressed about his change, even encouraging him in the comments for coming out gay and standing up to his father, and he'd already received a hefty amount of subscribers for the new channel he'd set up for the video.

"Anything else you want to say?" a sultry voice said, clearly from whoever was holding the camera. After a few moments of confusion and chin-scratching, the muscular wolf snapped his fingers as if remembering something important.

"Right! If you're stuck in a rut or just need a new perspective, you should come and visit Deviant Delights! We're on most social media, though you'll find more info in the description below! This bar changed my life, and I guarantee it can change yours!"

As he flashed a cocky grin at the camera, the video faded out into the logo for the bar before ending there. Laughing, Seth put his phone away. He never got tired of playing that video, but right now he had a needy sub dangling on his arm. They were pretty cute for a fox fur, though he was only one of several admirers that had seen him perform on Saturday. He wasn't the best at it yet, but apparently he'd done very well for his first time. He supposed it helped he was pretty brawny.

"What'll you have?" asked Davin, before Seth placed his member card on the counter.

"The usual. And whatever this cutie wants for his next drink, as well."

"Oh!" the fox said, caught off guard. "Ummm... well then, if it's okay can I get a Cloud Nine?"

Davin nodded, winking as he rang up the order. Scanning the card, he handed it back before preparing the drinks for them. One was the Cloud Nine, a fruity drink that doubled as a mood booster and aphrodisiac. The other was Seth's usual: one Big Brawny Wolf, on the rocks. As the two furs began drinking and enjoying each others' company, Davin took a flask out from behind the counter and opened it. There wasn't much liquid inside, but naturally the vapor had condensed inside the enchanted glass flask. While it looked like only a shot of some sort of liquor, only Davin and Seth knew what it really was.

"Oh, you're gonna drink it now?" Seth asked, catching it out of the corner of his eye. He'd already been half hard, but with the thought of his humanity being used to fuel his boss he'd become rock hard. "Bottoms up, boss!"

"Cheers," Davin said, raising his flask to his lips and downing it in one gulp. If it had been liquor, it would have gotten him drunk immediately. As it was, he savored the bittersweet taste of Seth's former essence, shuddering slightly in pleasure as he felt himself absorb what he needed. Well, need was such a strong word for it; at this point, he did it for pleasure. But a daemon that stopped absorbing nutrition was a daemon that soon found himself growing weak and dying. He wasn't going to make the same mistake the former Lust had made in allowing his power to wane.

"Damn, boss. You look like you just came!" Seth said, clearly impressed. It had been the first time he'd seen Davin do anything like this.

"It's so much better than that," Davin said, smiling lewdly. Seth found himself enthralled as Davin walked out from behind the bar to sit beside him. "I could show you, if you wanted. That ass of yours has been calling out my name all weekend."

"Only if I get to have this lovely thing ride my cock while you do," Seth said, causing the fox to blush a bit before nodding. He was clearly feeling friskier with every bit of his drink he had. Without another word, they rose from their seats, following the elder daemon to the back as they let lust take over their senses.