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Snow Dawgs

Chapter 3

By Roofles

It had been a great long while since I had last skied and it must've shown as I was trying to recall the South Park episode I had once watched once the two of us had gotten to the top of the slope. Hunter had stayed behind leaving just the golden retriever and myself.

“Pizza… French fries…" I mumbled at the top over looking the steep mountain top we were on. It looked like a farther drop from the top than it did on the way up. I was wondering if this was even the same mountain!

“You doin' ok, bro?" Buddy stomped his way over, walking funny due to his own skis he had on. “Nervous?" He wore a rather large scarf over his muzzle, but I could still see that dumb smile plastered onto his face. If I didn't know better, I'd think Buddy was mocking me. The smug bastard.

Also so friendly and warm and welcoming. I wanted to kiss and hug him for coming along with me, the jerk.

“Just been a little while since I last… have done… well, this." I chuckle lightly feeling my nose become red. Even with a ski cap, heavy jacket and winter boots and gloves on I was cold. Buddy's sunrise fur was covered in snow. Even his whiskers had a bit of frost too them. That made me smile a little.

He stomped his way over to my side and began giving me a crash course on the task at hand. Buddy quickly going over the basics without me even asking him too. He knew far more than I had pegged him for. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as he let on?

“Shit, bro… you know how to surf too?" I joked, shivering lightly but glad for the help. I tried not to focus on the fact Buddy was ghosting me now, standing directly behind me and putting his arms over mine, guiding my hands to show me the proper technique.

It was actually really nice for Buddy to go out of his way like this for me. Hunter would've already left if he was here. I wasn't sure what Auto would've done… or why I was thinking of the old blue heeler right now.

“Yeah. I can teach you that too. Maybe not right now.One thing at a time" Buddy said in all seriousness as he adjusted my grip on the ski pole in my right hand. Ok, maybe he wasn't the brightest bulb in the shed after all as my joke went right over his head. “It's not going to just slip off. Or like shoot out of your hand. Don't need to grip it so tight. That's what the straps are for." I could feel his strong hand over my own. Feel that hot breath on the side of my face even through the scarf as he continued to coach me.

“Thanks." I ended up saying a good five minutes later. We only broke apart after two others joined us. Buddy in fact was the one to pull away first with a jolt, wagging his tail and waving at the other two dogs. I just gave him a look, a bit confused. I didn't know Buddy was the shy type.

Duncan jumped off the lift first, carrying a rather cool snowboard. It made me hate him even more. Junkyard was with him, talking about something or other until they noticed us. To be fair, I hated the Doberman far more than the pitbull.

“Get a room!" Junkyard laughed, pushing Duncan. The large pit bull didn't even move. He looked over at the two of us with cold eyes. Eyes that lingered before he put his goggles on and headed down the slope a second later after strapping in.

He went down smoothly and I admired just how quickly he descended the slope towards the bottom. Even hitting one of the jumps and doing a simple trick (something I'd never be able to pull off during this trip). I moved away from the edge even before he got to the bottom, afraid Junkyard might try to push me off.

“Snuggle up closer next time." Junkyard leered at me before spitting the words at Buddy.

“How else would you teach someone to ski?" Buddy just laughed not taking it as the insult it had been. God bless Buddy and his simple nature. Junkyard rolled his eyes clearly not getting the reaction he had been hoping for. The dog shot me another look when Buddy wasn't paying attention and then headed after his friend.

“Fuck… what's his deal." I ended up asking as Buddy looked me over. Making sure every strap and zipper were secure. He was a little too thorough in places. I tried not to notice, thankful it was so cold outside right now it didn't matter if he reached his hand into my pants and groped me. My balls were shriveled up into raisins inside my body at the moment. I was hoping they wouldn't catch frostbite from all this.

“Junkyard? Or Duncan?" Buddy asked, tilting his head to the side and looking at me oblivious to what had been going on.

“Junkyard! He's just been treating me like… shit, since I got here." I tried to explain. Only I could make myself feel that way. Not like he knew what I had done, yet. Then he could do whatever the fuck he wanted to do.

“Huh?" Buddy was clearly clueless about it all. There was simple… then there was Buddy. “What are you talking about? Junkyard gives everyone a hard time." The golden retriever tried to explain, always coming to everyone defense.

“Well, like did he use to date Hunter or something?" I just asked trying to grab at anything randomly.

Buddy thought about it. “Well, yeah." He ended up just nodding as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Why didn't you say so!" I wanted to strangle the happy go lucky dog just looking at me. “Is, he like, mad about me dating Hunter?"

“Well…" Buddy dipped his head down, rubbing his chin really giving this some thought. I could hear the gears turning in his head as the snow fell around us. “Well… that was before Junkyard lost all the weight." That piqued my interest. “And it was Junkyard who dumped Hunter, not the other way around." Buddy scratched under his chin still thinking it over, clearly taking a lot of thought.

“Details, man. Details!" My patience was wearing thin. I looked behind us. Hunter would be here soon. What was taking him so long?

“Well. Junkyard and I go back to college. He used to be… well… fat. Like really fat." Buddy gestured with his hands trying to show. “Oh! He was a great guy! Lovely… personality… But man, oh man you could hear him coming down the hallway. People didn't say your mom jokes. They said…"

“I get it Buddy." I did laugh at that. The golden retriever really got invested in what he was saying. Even if it was to make the obvious joke.

“So, like after a couple of years we met Hunter and from there they began to date. It was what you expected." Buddy chuckled. “Man. I had to change beds with Junkyard because I was afraid he was going to snap the bars and have his bunkfall on mine. With me in it!" I groaned a little, not wanting to think about Hunter dating and fucking a fat Junkyard. “They broke up before finals. I think that's why Hunter bombed it… I took Junkyard under my wing after that.

“I was training at the time to get my degree and Junkyard was the perfect subject to work on! It was a project I could show the class, how things were going. Following what we were learning. Applying it to a subject. Thanks to Junkyard I aced the class!" Buddy beamed proudly at that.

“I'm proud of you. That's very impressive." I did say truthfully. As much as I give Buddy a hard time, his commitment and effort really does shine through in the end.

Buddy sniffled at that. “Oh, t-thanks dude. That means… a lot." He looked on the verge of tears. Before he could go wailing and cause an avalanche, I patted him on the back and gave him a bro hug with one arm.

“I wonder what's taking Hunter so long." I said, a bit concerned. As well as redirect the conversation away from him blubbering.

“Not sure. If you like, we can go down the easy slope." Buddy gestured to the side. “A bit longer but I can show you the ropes. Take it slow. We'll meet him at the bottom and then head back up with him." That sounded like a good plan. I rather not look like a complete idiot in front of my boyfriend if I could help it. You know, before I broke up with him.

Something I was finding myself on the fence about.

As many problems as we had. I did care for Hunter. He was a good guy. Just a bit too hooked on his phone. A relationship takes work from both parties involved. Maybe I had been neglecting him as well… that's why he had been on his phone so much? Because I wasn't giving enough in this relationship?

I couldn't be sure anymore. Things were getting so mixed up.

Buddy and I moved towards the side and after some more instructions, the golden retriever went first. I watched him go and tried my best to mimic what he had done. It was hard to tell if Buddy was good at this or not. He didn't fall over. That was a good start and my only real goal for my way down.

I made it halfway down, going at a snail's pace. It was rather nice actually. Seeing the pine trees covered in snow lazily drifting past me. The vast openness of nature. Able to see for miles all around us as I came to an abrupt halt next to Buddy. The golden retriever caught me and we shared a laugh.

“See! Not too hard. Maybe next time, you can go faster than my grandma's wheelchair."

“Oh, fuck you dude." I just gave him a punch and we shared another laugh. “I made it to the bottom in one piece."

“Eventually." Buddy rolled his eyes. I had to give him another sucker punch for that. He just smiled behind that scarf as I shivered. “Here." He said unraveling it and putting it around my neck. It smelled liked Buddy. “Not sure how you lot managed to survive without fur. Or fangs. Or claws. Or… anything." He said in all honesty, not even teasing me. It still came off as such.

“At least I don't shed all over the apartment during summer!" I just shot back snidely. He stuck his tongue out at me. Catching a few snowflakes before pulling it back in. We laughed at that.

“Hey, now. At least I can lick my own balls." Buddy just said with a bragging shrug.

“No wonder why your single. If I was able to do that, I wouldn't leave my room." I snickered, blushing a little at thinking of the dog licking his own junk.

Buddy blushed lightly; it was cute seeing him flustered for a change. “Well… it gets old fast by yourself." He hesitated as if choosing his words carefully before speaking again. “How are you and… Hunter doing?"

“Well…" I paused, looking around. We were alone out here on the slopes. And how nosey the dogs could be, if I was ever to discuss such things in the open, this would be the place too. “Things haven't been going so good, no." Buddy had such a trusting face, with those soft caring eyes. It was hard not to open up to him. And I desperately needed someone to talk to about all of this. “I thought things were getting better! They just… aren't."

“I'm sorry to hear that." Buddy just said solemnly, bowing his head a little. I wasn't sure why his tail wagged though.

“Things weren't ever that good in the first place. It just… I thought maybe… things could get better?" I rubbed my arm, smelling the scarf Buddy had given me. It was comforting. “I just liked how things were, I guess. I didn't want it to change. Is that silly?"

“Change?" Buddy inquired taking a step closer to me. He put a hand on my arm. “Nobody likes change."

“I'm thinking of… I'm going to break up with Hunter when we get back. When I do? Things are going to change. I won't have a reason to stay and just, well… yeah." I gave a weak laugh after that. “I hate moving. It's such a pain.A… real pain."

“It is." Buddy just agreed with a nod. “But it's not so bad when you have someone to help you out." And he shrugged his shoulder as I looked at him. “Who knows! Maybe this could be a nice fresh start for ya, dude." And he gave my back a reassuring slap.

I smiled at that. And then Buddy gave me another big hug. “Thanks." I found myself saying. “Your… my best friend, Buddy."

The golden retriever wagged his tail at that and finally pulled back. “If it's easier. You could stay in my room for the rest of the trip?" His eyes brightened up at the idea. “We could stay up! Watch movies! Eat snacks and have a sleep over!" His eyes lit up even further if that was possible at the idea as the light bulb flicked on over his head. It looked like it was the best idea he had ever had ever in his life. I wish I could be that happy sometimes…

“What are we? Ten?" I laughed though, smiling despite the tears in my eyes. “I forgot my pajamas." I teased.

“You can use a pair of mine!" Buddy jumped on the idea now in full force, wagging his tail quickly. He wasn't about to take no for an answer, I could tell.

“You honestly didn't bring a pair of pajamas… did you?" I had to resist laughing at that, holding a snort back. I didn't want to judge him for being such a… big kid. Or how adorably cute that was.

“Didn't you…?" He tilted his head to the side confused. I laughed at that. The look on his face alone was priceless.

“Well it's not even noon yet. Let's at least try and spend the rest of our day having some fun. I hate moving." I turned to face down the hill once more. Crap. I forgot just how much left we had to go.

“Moving rooms? The worse thing ever!" Buddy whined at the idea, playing it off well enough and getting another smile from me. He beamed happily at that. “Fine. Fine. I'll help you.Don't got to twist a dog's tail." He sighed heavily, shoulders slouching as he trudged on over to stand at my side. “Now…" And he began again to help me with my stance. Correcting the mistakes I had made before in a critical, but not harsh, fashion. He was a very good teacher.

Buddy was an even better friend.

He let me go first and caught up behind me shortly after. Skiing down the hill together for the most part until we hit the third turn and headed back down towards the lodge at the bottom. It was a fun trek. The snow continued to fall around us. It had eased up since the previous night and left us with a semi-clear day.

I even tried to race the dog to the finish line! I didn't win… by a long shot I didn't win. Glad I had put my money on Buddy the entire time. Throwing the race, just as I had planned…

Once we got back to the lodge we took a few minutes to look around for Hunter. Unable to find the German Shepherd, we headed back up the lift. I talked with Buddy the entire time. He was good company. He was a simple dog with simple wants and needs and I could respect that.

Buddy's mother died of complications due to her untreated diabetes. As such, he began to look into a healthier life style and learned soon after that he could make a living helping other people do the same. He was incredible. His life goal was to help other people and teach them about the “unseen killer" that was diabetes.

“It's not exactly easy." Buddy said as we got off the lift for a third time. “People don't want to change." I thought he was teasing me about what I had said earlier, but he wasn't. He wasn't that type of guy. Maybe I was just extremely defensive as a person? Always thinking Buddy was getting on me about something… man, I had issues thinking a guy like Buddy would do such a thing. “It's all about small steps. Eating carb friendly foods. Changing out the type of bread you buy. Things like that.Small things at first. They all add up in the end! Before you know it, healthy."

I just nodded along. I wasn't about to stop eating hamburgers or French fries anytime soon.

The rest of the day went well enough. We ended up crashing near the lift, grabbing lunch, and just waiting there for Hunter to show up. The German Shepherd never did… I checked my phone to find he still hadn't replied to the text I had sent him. There wasn't service on the slopes, only near the lodge. That was my excuse why he hadn't messaged me back yet.

And here I thought things were looking up between the two of us.

“What's bothering you?" Buddy asked picking at the chili cheese fry platter we had gotten. It was a mix between poutine and chili cheese dogs. And it was delicious. The golden retriever had offered to share whatever I wanted. His loss seeing as how he could only eat the “proper" amount.

“I got a lot on my mind right now, is all." I told him truthfully, unsure where to start on it all. “I think… I really upset Auto." We had already talked about Hunter. Maybe I could confine in him about the other dog I had unwittingly hurt in this whole affair.

Buddy lifted an eyebrow. I didn't explain further. “Well… he's a big boy, Doug. I'm sure whatever you did he can get over it." I just nodded at that without saying much more. “Could always apologize?" Buddy offered. “A simple apology goes a long way."

“Already tried. It seemed to make it worse." I just stuffed my face with some more fries. Depression made a glutton out of all of us. “It was a mistake." The same thing I had said to Auto.

“That depends." Buddy said, waiting for me to look up at him and give him my full attention before he went on. I wiped my mouth off much to his amusement. “Auto is an adult."

“Well, duh…" I tried not to be rude about it but it was hard not to be with the way I felt. Buddy licked one of his fingers and rubbed the chili cheese from my cheek, making me blush. Now who was treating who like a child?

“As in, he's the oldest one out of us here. If he felt like you were insulting him about his age or something? Well, he's a little touchy about that…" Buddy explained. I did nod at that, figuring that was the case the previous night. With why he felt so alone. “Auto is very… thick headed sometimes. He won't back down from a brick wall. His pride won't let him."

“I see…" Scratching the fuzz on my chin, I noticed I was still wearing Buddy's scarf. I offered it back to him.

“Keep it, bro. I rather not have you freeze out here." He just chuckled lightly with that smile on his face. Snow clung to his yellow fur and at the end of his whiskers nearly frozen. I was afraid they'd snap under their own weight and fall off. “I'll be fine." He added puffing himself out a bit with his fur. “I got three layers of fur, at least!" He laughed. I joined in. “Like my own winter coat!"

“Don't hold it against me if I end up killing you and wearing your pelt if it gets any colder…" I just gave him an evil grin.

“So long as you use every part of my body, I'm fine." Buddy laughed.

We finished are lunch in silence. Buddy ate more than I thought he would. One reason why I bought what I did. I didn't want to share… I wasn't one to share my food usually. For some reason, here and now with Buddy? I… I didn't mind.

“Today was fun." I just said aloud, more to myself as I played with one of the last fries. It had been a while since I had been able to just go out and have… fun. Relax. Not worry about something for once. Not about debt. Or how I was going to pay my bills. Family problems? Nothing…

Ruining my relationship, getting kicked out of my new apartments and in turn hurting the Alpha… ya today had been fun compared to those times.

“It was." Buddy wagged in approval.

“You're a good guy, Buddy. It's easy… to hang out with you." I blushed a little, not wanting to get sappy. I just… truly appreciated his company what with everything going on. Fuck. Was I about to cry? Man, I must look like a wreck. I wipe my face real quick blaming it on the snow.

“If you are having that many problems with Hunter… you can stay with me, dude." Buddy said in all seriousness. Just leveling with me. “My offer still stands. We can just say we're watching movies or something. If that'd make it easier for you.And then just spend the night."

It wasn't like Buddy to suggest something so deceiving.

“I do care." Buddy added with a soft smile. “It's a curse, I know." He made a dramatic gesture. “Woe is me, being a retriever. Always trying to help others." I gave him a kick under the table and he snapped out of it. “I mean it, Douglas. My doggie doors always open for you."Buddy stuck his tongue out there, trying to lighten the mood for my sake.

He was too good of a guy for someone like me to have as a friend.

“Thanks, Buddy… I'll keep that in mind." And we left it at that. Enjoying our lunch and talking about one of the movies we had seen recently together. I couldn't recall the conversation much, my mind too focus on other things.

It was a little after Six when we got back to the main lodge. The sun was already beginning to set.The cold night air made it hard for us to stay outside any longer. We had left our equipment at the lift shack, getting our things back in return. It was cold without the heavy winter gear and I was grateful to sit in front of the fire in the main lobby and warm my freezing fingers up once we found ourselves safely back inside.

Several of the others had come in once the sun had set. I didn't see Hunter and ended up asking Duncan of all people where he was. The pit bull was the first dog I happened across. I wasn't sure where Buddy had gone off too.

“He was in here last I saw." The pit bull just shrugged those heavy shoulders of his. “Was on his laptop. And phone. While also using his tablet." The dog shook his head. “Good thing we aren't paying for the electric bill here." He joked and left it at that.

Buddy had left to find something to eat. I found him in the back near the kitchen talking to one of the staff about when dinner would be ready. Needing to keep his calorie intake according to his schedule or something. It left me alone with several dogs I hardly even knew.

I walked around the lodge by myself, looking for Hunter while just enjoying the place. Our room was empty. I headed out the back door towards the deck and found it wasn't deserted even in the cold night.

“Hey." I waved over at Auto. The blue heeler was collecting the bottles from the other night, with a wet rag in the other hand to scrub it down. I figured the staff would've cleaned up. On closer inspection, those weren't the bottles we had been drinking. The blue heeler must've been cleaning up after a few of the others to be polite. Most likely Junkyard and Duncan.

Auto just grunted, looking over to see who it was before turning back. An awkward silence fell between us.

“I'm sorry." I started. It was soft, barely audible. I had apologized more in the past couple of days than I had in my entire life.

“You already said that, pup." Auto just grumbled some more as he touched something sticky on the bench. This only further soured his mood.

“Because it's true." I got a bit closer, trying not to shiver. I wasn't sure if I was afraid of Auto or if it was just that cold out. He turned to regard me at least. “I… I don't regret what I did the other night…" I took a slow even breath. Making sure I spoke the truth. “I'm glad it was you…"

The blue heeler ear batted at that and he stood a little taller. Still he didn't say anything.

“Out of everyone here, I am very thankful… it was you. And not someone else, Auto. That's why I wanted to say sorry to you. Everything going on between me and Hunter? I just… need to figure that out first." I turned to go before adding. “Thank you, Auto." I tried to give him a warm smile. My teeth chattering didn't make it that convincing.

“For fuck sake, pup. Where is your damn coat!" Auto just snarled now, taking off his own jacket and putting it over my shoulders. He spied the scarf around my neck. Questioning it with a look.

“Buddy lent it to me. Because I think I forgot to bring my coat…" My cheeks were flushed. I blamed the cold for that. “Whoopsie."

Auto groaned at that, rubbing the brow of his muzzle with two fingers. “You pups are going to be the death of me, I swear." He motioned me back towards my room. “Get back inside before you freeze." It did bug me how every one of the dogs thought I was going to freeze to death just because I didn't have fur.

While most likely true, it still was annoying having it pointed out constantly how dumb I was.

“Auto, are we…" I had to ask.

“We're good, pup. This old man needed a relief too." Auto scratched the side of his muzzle not meeting my eyes.

“Ok." I just said. Taking a moment. Making sure no one else was around, then kissed the old geezer on the nose. “I don't think you're as old as you think you are." And with a wave I headed back inside.

Auto watched me go. I didn't know what was going through his head. I'm just glad I could patch things up the best I could.

I was getting worried now. Hunter still wasn't back. No one seemed to know where he was at. I texted him. I called him. I even used one of the instant messenger apps we used to try and get in contact with him. I sat around on the bed waiting. With every minute that past, I got more anxious.

It was about an hour later when I knocked on Buddy's door. The golden retriever was pleased to see me until he saw the look on my face.

“Have you seen Hunter?" I just asked.

The two of us began searching after that. We split up and looked around the lodge, then met back in the lobby. I borrowed one of Buddy's jackets and we told Auto where we were going and what we were doing. He seemed to understand and even tagged along. He was a good Alpha. I appreciated being part of his pack; unsure how much longer that'd actually be…

We went back to the lifts and talked to the staff there. They said no one had been here for a while, they closed when it got dark out due to the danger it would be to ski at night. At least we found out Hunter did check his stuff back in. There was no time stamp, so it was hard to tell exactly when he had gotten his stuff back.

“What else is there around here?" I asked the other two, this being my first time here.

“Not much." Auto frowned thinking it over. “Just the lodge. The ski lifts. The equipment shack. Parking lot? Not anything else out here for miles." We all thought of it as the wind began to howl. It would be another cold night, that was for sure. We needed to make sure to find him before the storm hit us.

“Oh, you got to be kidding me." I groaned aloud catching the attention of the other two. “I know where he is…" And I jogged off towards the parking lot. Hunter could be such a child sometimes. Sneaking off to the parking lot in order to get some privacy? Seriously? That selfish…

“Hunter!" I said loudly, pounding on the window of Auto's car. The window rolled down.

“Oh, hey guys. What's up." Hunter was still on his phone. It was plugged into the car, it was running with the heater going. Auto frowned at this. Something I was sure he would tear into Hunter about later. You don't mess with a man's car.

“The hell, Hunter." I started in, not holding back. I was cold, shivering, hungry and had been worried sick! “Why hadn't you answered my text or phone? I was worried…" I checked my phone just to make sure I had reception out here. I did. It was close enough to the lodge to get at least one bar.

“Oh, yeah. Just been so busy." Hunter got up and out of the car, stretching now. “You won't believe what I've been offered!" He was about to tell me. I cut him off before he could.

“I was worried sick and you were just on your phone?" My teeth were clenched and I was trying not to yell in front of the other two dogs, who both were looking awkwardly away not wanting to be caught staring at our fight.

“It was work! This could be my big break!" He growled back at me now, getting defensive.

“Your big break? How many times have I heard that!" I turned away, clenching a fist. I was pissed off. How could he just be so selfish like this? I had been scared… What if something had happened? This was such a classic Hunter move. Only caring about himself. Always playing the victim. Time after time after time.

“What does that mean?" Hunter and I began to get in on it. Auto tugged at Buddy's arm but the golden retriever stayed behind.

“Look. You could have just texted me back or called. Or something! To let me know you were ok." I tried to be reasonable, let him see where I was coming from. I took a slow even breath; the cold air stung my throat. “I was worried…"

“What could happen out here?" Hunter just laughed. That was the sound I didn't want to hear right now. Hunter dismissing my concerns, again. As he always did.

“I don't know! An avalanche? A bear! What if you fell down the slope or something. I haven't seen you since this morning." I was breathing heavily now. “It's after seven!"

“Sheesh, you sound like my mom." That was the last draw.

“I just…you know what? Fine." I just wiped my hands clean of this. “I'm done."

“Done?" The German Shepherd asked, confused.

“Done with this. Done with you. Done with whatever the fuck you think we have. You need to grow the fuck up. Clearly if you are this busy with work you don't have the time for me.Or a relationship." And I turned and just walked away.

“Douglas! Come on, that's not fair!" Hunter called after me. I ignored him.

Buddy caught up with me while Auto and Hunter talked it out. Hunter probably trying to tell his side of the story, to be the victim like he always was. I'm sure of it. As much as I had fucked up during this trip it wasn't even the beginning to what I had to put up with Hunter.

The closest him and I had gotten to a relationship were too estranged friends that sometimes fucked. Even fuck buddies were closer than we were.

I wiped my nose on the back of Buddy's coat he had lent me. “Can I still… stay with you tonight?"

“No." Buddy said. I looked at him. “Of course, you can!" With a roll of his eyes, he gave me a strong one arm hug. “This'll be awesome! You won't have to worry about none of this no more, I promise. I got all the monty python flying circus on my laptop. Let's grab some dinner and head back to my room and just forget all this ugly mess ever happened."

“Thanks, Buddy. You're a good friend." I sniffled, smiling at him. He beamed at me, wagging his tail and we headed back to the lodge together.

We didn't stay in the dining room with the others. We got our plates and headed back to Buddy's room. The room was nearly identical to Hunter's, and well Auto's too… Buddy had his stuff sprawled out on the floor and over the bed. It was hard to tell what clothes were fresh and which were old. I ended up just setting my stuff in the corner.

“Thanks again, Buddy."

“Ease up. I know things haven't been the best… but for the rest of the night, just relax! Let it go and take your pants off." Buddy laughed as he did the very thing himself. Letting his own pants just fall to the ground, wearing what looked like the same pair of briefs he had on the other day. “Ayyy." He gave me a Fonzie and kicked his legs up onto the bed. Patting the spot next to him. “Just stop giving a fuck."

“I could really use that right about now." I chuckled, stripping Auto's coat off and hanging it up; I'd return it later. I undid my belt and let my pants drop without shame. I returned the Fonzie ayyy and climbed into bed with him.

Buddy had set up the rooms TV right at the end of the bed, scooting the wardrobe over to the edge for a table to place it on. There was a laptop set up next to it, cords connecting the two. Using a wireless mouse, Buddy began searching through the files for the TV series. He had a lot on there. Things that looked familiar. Other things I didn't want to know about.

Like doggie tennis, the revenge of the tennis balls.

“Sweet pad." I joked watching him, trying to start some kind of conversation. He lifted an arm and just put it around me, I thought nothing of it. Most canines were extremely affectionate. Most gay guys were! Combine the two? And you could be fucking without even thinking anything of it.

I… actually wasn't sure if Buddy was gay or not? Most canines didn't bother with labels. They just slept with those they liked. It was a strange thought… I had no clue why I was having it now with Buddy of all people!

“Yeah, I never go anywhere without my laptop." Buddy just shrugged focusing intently on what he was doing. “Don't know when the car will break down or be snowed in. Got snacks, drinks and my laptop in my bag! What more do I need?"

“Clothes?" I offered, and we shared a laugh, he gave me a hug and I patted his chest. Running my hand through his thick fur. He had stripped his shirt off the second he walked in the room, talking about how much he hated the thing.

“So much easier to get belly rubs when your naked." Buddy snickered as he gave me a toothy smile. I rolled my eyes and moved my hand down to his belly to do just that. He lazed back on the bed, groaning softly every now and then. “This is heaven…" He groaned as he continued to work. Cleaning up his desktop first, trying to hide several saved pictures, files and even stories from the look of it. Placing them in a “My Buddy" folder he had created.

He had far more fur than I thought. My hand was nearly lost in it as I scratched at the warm flesh under it on his belly. It was soothing. The feel of that soft, warm, musky fur running between my fingers as I scratched over my friend's belly. He didn't have much of a stomach, despite how much he ate. Buddy was in rather good shape. It was hard to tell however with all his fur.

The movie began instead, not that I complained, and I just rested my head on his shoulder. My phone buzzed at my side, but I ignored it for now. Figuring it was Hunter. Wanting to try and talk this out. I was not in the mood for that.

“When was the last time you showered?" I teased sniffing at my hand and then wrinkling my nose as if in disgust. Playing the phone ringing off well enough.

“A day or two ago…" Buddy folded his ears back, looking at me. “It's not that bad, is it?"

“Not really." I really didn't mind. I had always liked the smell of dogs.

“It's just such a pain!" He whined softly, trying to defend himself now. “It takes like two hours for me to shower, shampoo and dry off." He scratched over his chest. “It's just such a pain." Buddy gave me puppy dog eyes.

“Don't look at me like that! I'm not about to give you a bath."

“Oh, come on! It could be fun." Buddy turned towards me and nosed at my cheek. His nose was cold and bumpy; black like his paw pads and lips. His finer tips rubbed over my chest now, those paw pads warm to the touch. They were firm but not rough. Buddy's dull nails scratched lightly as I just rested back. “I'm glad you're here." He said softly. I could feel his breath against the side of my face.

“Me too…" I looked over at him and got a lick on my cheek. That made me giggle a little as he pulled me closer and I was resting at his side. Slightly on his side. My face was pushing against Buddy's chest now and I could feel every breath he took as he held me securely.

I think I was reading too much into it. Maybe I wanted to read more into it… Buddy just rested his muzzle on my forehead and we continued to watch the comedy together as the night hours ticked by.

With everything going on? I didn't realize just how tired I had become. I woke up so early this morning that I guess going to bed before ten o'clock wasn't unheard of. Thinking of Hunter. Thinking of Auto. Thinking of what I would need to do after all this? It all just faded away as I listened to Buddy's even breaths.

My mind eventually drifting to sleep in his arms… Where I dreamt of sunrises.