FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Leo awoke properly, just before his alarm went off. He quickly slammed his hand down to shut it off a mere second after it started. Leo got up and stretched, then quickly glanced back to see if Missy was there. Surprisingly she was gone. Certainly she would've had some bad joke prepared. “Was it as good for you as it was for me?" Missy said from the doorway. There it was. Leo looked back at her.

“Good morning to you too, Missy," he said with a frown. “Already got a head start on your lounging for the day?"

“You could say something like that, I guess." She stepped to the side to reveal her hand, which was holding a bowl. “Maybe even better!"

“What's that?" Leo asked incredulously.

“Cereal. What, you thought I could make something else?"

“Just don't eat too much, alright? My shopping list is already filling up." He rubbed his face.

Missy rolled her eyes. “The cereal is for you, dork. I don't even like milk." She walked over and nearly shoved the bowl into his hands. It was cereal alright. Somehow it wasn't completely screwed up either.

Leo furrowed his brow. “Thanks."

“You're very welcome." Missy gave a big grin. “Now I'll get to that lounging." She walked off.

Surely something had to be off about the meal, but Leo wasn't about to deny one of the few gifts he would ever receive from Missy and quickly downed the whole thing. He stood up, remembering the pile of clothes he tossed down and was now standing on. Leo sighed, picked up the clothes, and headed on his way to start his routine. Clothes into closet. Bowl into sink. Dodge Missy in the hallway. Into the bathroom. Quick shave. Shower. Done.

Leo walked back into his bedroom. Missy was naturally there, taking up space on his bed. “Find any good napping spots for today?" he asked, dressing himself for work.

“Yeah, this one." Missy rolled onto her stomach. “You wear a uniform to work? You got like, ten of the same shirt."

“No, it's not a uniform, it just looks presentable." He looked to her. “Stay out of my drawers."

“Aw man, you should've said closet. That would've been so much funnier."

“You gonna stay in bed all day?" Leo asked. On one hand, that sounded like the absolute perfect way to make sure she didn't cause trouble, and on the other hand, he didn't like the idea of her rolling around in his sheets while he was at work.

“What's it to you?" Missy asked.

“It's my house after all. I want to know what the damage is gonna be when I get back." He finished buttoning up his work shirt and adjusting the cuffs.

Missy spread herself out on the bed. “It's my house now too, buddy, why would I want to fuck it up?" she asked.

“You work in mysterious ways, Missy. How would I know?"

“Not that dumb. Now go on and bring home the bacon, big guy. I'll keep the homestead secure." She gave a mock salute and placed a pillow over her head. All he could ask for, really. If only she did that when he was around.

Leo stood up and checked everything he needed was on his person. Perfect. He opened his mouth to say goodbye and paused. That was weird. It felt both wrong to say it, and wrong not to say it. “I'll be back," he said simply.

“Sure thing, Arnie. See ya," Missy said with a wave.

“Don't suffocate under there," he replied. With that, Leo walked off, straight out onto his porch. He firmly shut the door, telling himself he was sealing off a terrible beast from the world. Door locked, handle jiggled to make sure, and done. Onward to work with a prayer.

_

Despite having worked only a few days ago, it felt like an eternity since Leo had been busy. This could hardly be called work anyways. More like a paid vacation away from Missy, he said to himself with a chuckle. The workload was relatively light, allowing his thoughts to wander as he tapped away at his keyboard. He glanced over at the cubicle wall next to him. Hopefully Mr. Irons was enjoying his fresh retirement. Leo wasn't entirely sure when he'd retire. There was a lot in his career he still had to achieve, and even more things to save away. Save away for a proper family lifestyle at that.

What would Missy do come old age? Leo frowned. She wormed his way into his thoughts too. It wasn't a bad question regardless. Almost impossible to imagine her settling down and finding that special someone, or slowing down to appreciate life at all. Nah, she was perfect at slowing down. In fact she was doing it right now, in his bed, sleeping away the day, and who knows what else. He winced slightly upon thinking about her taking care of her needs in his bed. That would need a deep cleaning that might've been past even his capabilities.

Leo's phone rang, breaking him out of his ridiculous thoughts. Instinctively he reached for the landline in front of him, only to pause and realize it was actually his cellphone. Strange, but maybe the higher ups were having landline issues. “Yes? Leo here," he said.

“Hola señor," a feminine voice replied.

Goddammit. “Missy, why the hell are you calling me?"

“Woah, easy, I was bored, OK?"

“Actually, how are you even calling me?"

“You got Skype on your laptop, dude. Didn't you know?"

“Didn't I already tell you not to touch that?" Leo replied.

“Oh, I'm sorry, is that what Mr. 'I lost the bet' asked?"

“I asked that before I lo— we made the agreement."

“Yeah well, tough, you can't make me get off it now. You know if any games run on this thing?" Missy asked.

“Hold on, don't just switch up topics like that."

Someone cleared their throat behind Leo. He recognized that assertive windpipe clearing anywhere. Instantly he put the phone in his lap and spun around in his chair. “Yes, sir?" he said automatically, putting on his best poker face. There was his boss, as he guessed.

“I can't believe I'm saying this, Mr. Davis, but you do know that personal calls aren't to be made on work hours, right?" he asked with a smile, clearly amused by the situation.

“I do apologize, sir. Something is going on at home. Not a big deal."

“Hello? Hellooooooooooooo?" Missy called out through the phone.

“Oh, it's about your lady," his boss replied. The larger man straightened his tie. “Well, make it quick, then. Wouldn't want to keep her waiting."

His boss wasn't budging. Ugh. Leo picked up the phone. “Missy, just stick to television, we'll talk when I get home, alright?"

There was a long pause. “'Kay." Another pause. “Love you, Leo." He could hear the giggle in her voice.

The man looked up at his boss, who was gesturing with his hands to continue. Fuck, this really was going to happen. “Love you too," he slurred. Leo hung up a split second after Missy burst into laughter. He received a victorious thumbs up from his boss. God, kill him now.

“Went well, I see. Good to see you two making up like that."

“Thanks, sir," Leo replied, dejected. He wasn't going to hear the end of this at home.

His boss disappeared around the corner, then came right back with an office chair. Oh no. He pushed the chair into the cubicle. God, no. Not right now. He sat down. “I know lady troubles can be tough, but she sounds like a good girl." He clenched his fist to emphasize his point. “Missy, was it? That a nickname? Pretty cute, too," he said.

“No, that's her real name. Or— Yeah, real name." At least, it was whatever they called her way back home. Leo hadn't the slightest clue if she had some unspeakable guttural name from the depths of hell.

“She's cute, right?" His boss asked, pulling closer.

Leo scratched his neck. “In the same way a puppy is cute, I guess. Sir."

The larger man tilted his head. “Never heard it described like that. She an airhead or something?" He laughed. “Excuse me. Didn't mean to put her down like that."

“No problem, sir." Leo tried to think of a generic way to put it. “She's more overactive."

“Hey, sounds like you hooked yourself a good one." He nodded. “They're the ones that do the work in bed." The boss straightened up. “Unless you're saving it for marriage." He cleared his throat. “Then, in which case, you're an admirable man, Leo."

“Believe me, sir. I fully intend to wait until marriage." With someone else. “Anything you needed, sir?"

“Hold on just a second."--he adjusted himself on the seat—"I know you're modest, but I think it's... important that you get this right. Even if you're saving yourself, it's good you get in there firm." He raised and clenched his fist. “Make an effort."

“I understand, sir. Really, it's fine."

“Alright, alright. Just wouldn't want you to lose it. I knew a fella— Jeff, maybe? Or a John— Anyways, guy spent two years with a girl, then she runs off with another man."

If only, Leo said to himself. “She practically begged me to stay, sir. I really doubt that's happening."

“Hopefully not a nutcase," he mumbled. “You know each other long?"

“Since... about childhood, sir." Leo kept glancing to his monitor, hoping his superior would get the message.

“Work can wait a minute. You're already ahead of schedule." He pulled up closer, forcing Leo subtly back. “Leo, you've really scored on this one. She a blonde? Brunette?"

“Black, sir. Jet black." You know, the kind you can't see at night.

The man eased off and adjusted his suit. “Not exactly exotic, but I'm sure she'll make up for it." He eased off. “Look, you need any help, I'm always available. Any time or place, got it?"

“That won't be necessary, sir" Leo said with a shake of the head.

“No, really. I mean it. I know you're an up and coming bachelor, but the opposite sex can be harder than you think."

“If you say so, sir." Not that Leo needed to be told. Though at times it was hard to believe Missy was the opposite sex the way she conducted herself.

“Not sure how many of them you've taken a crack at, but I can tell this one is different."

“More than you would expect, sir." Leo rubbed his forehead.

“That's the thing you hold close, got it?" He leaned forward again and gave Leo a pat on the shoulder. Probably would've broken had he given it a smidge more force.

“Yes, sir. Will do." Probably sound advice. Knowing Missy she'd probably ditch him for a phone if possible. “Hope your own marriage is going well."

The boss stood up and adjusted his tie. “They're not all winners, Leo, but you learn to like what you have," he said with a shrug. Awfully vague, but Leo wasn't going to pry. Certainly not now when he was so close to leaving. The boss tucked the chair away and walked off. “Good luck, champ. You'll pull through." He gave that thumbs up again. Leo uneasily returned the gesture with a thumbs up of his own, prompting a laugh from the man. He finally slipped out of sight.

Leo breathed a sigh of relief and quickly silenced his phone, then set it down. After a moment of thinking, he turned off the vibration too. He glanced back just to make sure there wasn't someone judging him. Fortunately not. He returned to his work with far more vigor than before.