FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The next few days were considerably softer on Leo's mental health. Missy kept her trap mostly shut and only watched television. Despite that, she still took her spot on the bed, which made for some awkward nights. It was strange having a beast settle into the place where he slept, but only hearing her soft breaths instead of a barrage of jokes was odd. Maybe that was for the better, though. It was easier to sleep at night. No more calls at work either, meaning Leo got away scot-free without having to talk to his superior. Despite all that, there was still something off about the whole thing that Leo couldn't quite put his finger on.

“I'm headed out for work," Leo said, adjusting his suit. He looked back at Missy, who was faced away from him on the bed. Was she... pouting? Was this whole thing to get back at him? Leo thought she might've learned her lesson, realizing she had nothing of value to say whatsoever. Instead, it might've been some childish way to get back at him. “I said, I'm going out."

“I heard you."

“I'd at least like an acknowledgement."

“Fine, here's your acknowledgement," she replied, not moving.

“Can't you bother being polite?"

“Why should the animal be polite?"

Leo rubbed his temple and calmed himself. “Alright, look, do you mind doing something for me today?"

No response. Not even a movement.

“Just take out the trash. That's all you have to do. Take out the bag, and put it in the bin outside. It's right next to the house." He sighed, already imagining her screwing up. “Can you do that?"

No response.

“Missy."

“Alright, fine. I can do that."

“I'd like it if you looked at me when we spoke."

“Why? It's not like you give a shit about me."

Leo clenched his fist and relaxed. “I don't have time for this. Just take out the trash, OK? That's all I ask right now."

“I can do it, now go."

That should keep her occupied for an hour. Could instill a work ethic in her too, if he was extremely lucky. “Wash your hands when you're done," Leo said.

“I always wash my goddamn hands!"

Leo nodded. Good. “Right. See you later." Off to work. The routine of having Missy at home had become normalized in his mind. He still worried every now and again that Missy might break every single thing in his house with military precision, but the fear had faded. That probably wasn't a good thing, getting used to her like that. It made the whole thing easier, at least. He stepped into his car and started the engine, adjusting his clothing in the process.

Leo settled into his workplace as he always did. Easy workload today, so he could pace himself. He soon found that to be a bad thing, however. His eyes would glance at the landline in front of him, wondering if he should check in on Missy. No, no he couldn't. That would just make her snark about it and nothing would come from it. First she was calling him and now he wants to call her. Not that he could anyways, considering he already hid away his computer. She would probably rummage around the house for it anyways. He set his boundaries and he was certain she'd circumvent them as hard as she could.

“Leo," someone said behind him. He shut his eyes. Just had to happen today too, huh?

“Yes, sir?" he said, turning around finding his boss in front of his cubicle.

“I'm headed off for lunch, thought you might want to join me."

“Oh, thank you for the offer, sir. Still not quite my lunchtime though."

“I know that, Leo. Who do you think signs your checks?" he said with a smile. “You were slowing a little, figured you might need a break."

Not a bad prospect. Could be a leg up later on. “Alright. Let me just finish up this write up."

“Nonsense, you can leave it there. Just shut off the monitor and come on," he said with a beckon.

_

Leo found himself in his Boss's office, quietly chewing at a sandwich he prepared for himself. Slightly more glamorous than a cubicle. Like every other “official" office on the planet, the wall was adorned with all sorts of frames with random tidbits from certificates to pictures of random people shaking hands. The room was a bit stuffy, making it somewhat uncomfortable as he could hear every little chew and swallow in the room. “How's it going with the girl?" Leo's superior asked. The first words said since they entered.

“I can't say it's going great, sir." Not that Leo even wanted to think about Missy right now. It was a good way to get things off his chest, at least.

“Come on, Leo, we're having lunch. You can drop those titles," the bossman replied, biting into a sloppy sub.

“If you say so... Vernon." The name grinded across his tongue. It was like breaking a taboo.

“That's more like it." Vernon took another bite. “So tell me, what's the issue with your lady friend?"

“She's a little overbearing. Can't really take care of the home, you know?"

“Can't or won't?"

“I guess a mix of both. More won't, though."

“So I'm guessing you feel this is a one sided relationship, right? Not like she can provide anything except love?"

“Something like that, right." Leo wouldn't even want to accept her love. It probably came with some strings attached. Like she'd tear off his limbs after their first kiss or something. That's how animals worked.

“Must be tough, you being the marriage type." Another bite. Leo nearly had a heart attack with each one Vernon took. Mayo threatened to burst out of the bread and dribble down his expensive suit. “You can always teach her. Not a dead end just yet. Missy, right?"

“Frankly she does feel like a dead end. You spend time with the wrong people all your life it tends to affect you."

“Thought you were old friends?"

Leo nodded. “Yeah, but that was ages ago. We haven't spoken since."

“There's always a hint of what they used to be. Nobody changes completely."

Leo laughed. “Well, even then, I wouldn't know her. I hardly remember that time."

“So, Leo." Vernon set his sandwich down. “Why're you with her? This isn't a girlfriend kinda thing, is it?"

“Not really, no." There was clear disappointment in Vernon's expression. “More like a couch crasher."

The larger man picked up a bit. “Nothing stopping you from making it a thing, you know. I know the younger generation talks about that friend zone thing, but that's nonsense." He shrugged and picked up his food again.

“Can't say I want it to be a thing."

Vernon opened his mouth to bite then stopped. He smiled. “OK, so let me get this straight." He held up a hand and started counting. “She won't help around the house." One. “She doesn't do anything for you." Two. “You don't want it to be a thing." Three. “So why are you letting her stay, buddy?"

Leo paused. Was it the goodness of his heart? Being a friend? Loneliness? No, scratch that last one. “She was desperate, and I guess I'm just that kind of sucker. Nowhere else to go."

“Oho? You sure you don't want it to be a thing? Could just toss her out. She's an adult." Yeah, well that was the problem, wasn't it? She wasn't a normal adult.

“Let's just say, due to the circumstances, she can't do that." Leo rubbed his neck.

“She an illegal or something?"

Leo was taken aback, but he supposed it was a valid question considering the circumstances. “No, no, no, she was born here as far as I know."

“Criminal?"

“She's probably broken some law, but I doubt she's been caught for it."

“So what's the big deal then? Boot her if you really don't like her."

“Believe me, I've been thinking about it. She's going to be working around the house today."

“You're still trying?"

Leo's brow furrowed. “Well, yeah. I'd like to give her a shot, at least."

“How many shots have you given her?"

“Way too many." Leo took a bite. Yeah, far, far too many. What were you thinking making a stupid bet like that? Or hell, opening the door for her at all? What's going through your head?

“And... you don't want it to be a thing."

“Right."

“Something about your story doesn't really add up, Leo," he said with a smile.

“I know. I sound like an idiot. I guess I just want to give her a shot because we were friends. Not that I even remember that anyways."

“Maybe you're way nicer than you give yourself credit for." Vernon tilted his head toward Leo. “Just make sure you don't let anyone take advantage of you. Nothing worse than letting goodwill get sapped out of you. You're better than that."

“Oh, no. Of course not. I've managed to wrangle her somewhat."

“So you're saying there's a chance?"

“A chance of what?"

Vernon smiled. “Of you two getting together."

“C'mon, sir." Leo shook his head. “Vernon. I can put her on a leash but I'd say the damage is done."

“You sure? How long has it been since she moved in?"

“About a week."

“Not sure a week is good enough for that."

“You haven't been living with her."

“No, you're right, I haven't," Vernon said with a shake of the head. “But something tells me this is a once in a life time opportunity." Right, Leo supposed that was true. Unfortunately that only extended to her being some bog monster and not being a sensible person that clicked with him. “You heard about the honeymoon syndrome?"

“Is that a real thing? You sound like you're making it up on the spot."

“It's real." He took a large bite of sub and downed it. “It goes that, when you move in with someone, you start to realize what they're like in private. The honeymoon is over and you realize that they're a lot worse at home."

“I get that 24/7, yeah." Not that she could go into public without a paper bag and a trench coat. “What's your point?"

“Well, you only know her in private, so the only place to go is up, right? Still don't entirely know her yet."

“Maybe she's a little dumber than I expected, but I can't imagine she would actually improve with time. She clogged a whole sink a few days ago. Not even an apology."

Vernon shrugged. “All I'm saying is, you really don't know her yet, and you already have her at her worst."

“Suppose you're right. Don't think I'm gonna have kids with her though," Leo said with a laugh.

“The way I hear it, she doesn't sound the type either."

Leo looked down at his sandwich. Instantly he imagined swaddling some small, furry beast with rows of teeth. Maybe he should go for it. She'd probably scoot the second she could and he turned his back. What a terrible joke. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. Vernon had experience, sure, but he couldn't imagine what Leo was up against. It was possible he was dealing with alien psychology anyways. Could be that she was completely incapable of being a good person. No doubt she was some sort of stalking predator, the kind that didn't need compassion or empathy. Was it her fault, then? Don't even try to make excuses for her. She knew exactly what she was doing.

“She must've taken a lot of your time, huh?" Vernon said suddenly.

“Why do you say that?" Leo asked.

“You look like you're gonna pass out."

“You'd feel the same in my shoes."