FSE

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Low Bar

After we stock up on food, bathroom goods, and whatever else catches Reeses’ eye we drive around town for a while. Ultimately we end up at a greasy burger joint that had definitely never scored higher than a ‘C’ on a health inspection, but none of the best places ever did.

Reese inhales his first burger at a breakneck pace, I guess he hadn’t eaten well on the long road trip here. I take my time and enjoy his enthusiasm. He had always eaten like this, ever since he started getting into sports anyways.

He speaks with his mouth full. “Thish plash ish awesome! Shuper cheap!”

“Don’t worry about the price, Reese. I got you for the next few days.”

“No way, I should cover for you.” He points. “It’s gentlemanly.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Are we on a date, nephew?”

He chokes on his next bite.

Any good uncle could easily embarrass his nieces and nephews.

“I–I just mean…”

I wiggle my eyebrows.

He blushes. “You’re driving me around, letting me stay at your place rent-free. It would be… Polite for me to cover your meals sometimes.”

“Alright bud, you can buy my cheap burger and fries.”

“Thank you.”

“But I’m buying you your first drink!”

He tilts his head as he chews.

“I’m taking you to a dive tonight. Gotta get you introduced to the dating scene around here!”

“Uncle Tom I–”

“I insist. Not to mention your Uncle Tom could use some company!” I wink.

“Can’t we just have drinks at home? I wanted to play games like we used to, I brought my Console!” He rolls his eyes.

“I can leave you home and go alon–”

“No!” He shouts, drawing eyes from around the restaurant. “I mean… Uh, you’re right. Yeah.”

Awkward silence curses the rest of our, thankfully short, meal. Reese's mood doesn’t improve as we approach the bar. It’s not like the clubs downtown, the music is quieter and the pours are a lot more generous.

He snorts when he sees the dated neon sign above the entrance. “The Doghouse?”

“It’s probably not your crowd, mostly guys my age.” I shrug.

“I don’t mind older guys.”

“Great, then maybe we’ll both get lucky tonight.”

“...Maybe…” We step out of the car.

Anytime I mention bringing guys over he gets upset. Is it just awkward talking about sex with me? He used to confide in me all the time when he was still in College. Why would he… Of course! I’m an asshole. We haven’t seen each other in almost two years, he just wants to spend time with his favorite uncle.

I put a hand on his shoulder as we reach the door. “Don’t worry, Reese. Tonight we’re just getting a couple of drinks and going home, we can play some games or binge something. Like we used to.”

He smiles. “Really? I thought you needed ‘company’?”

“You’re all the company I need, bud.”

He pulls me into an even more crushing hug than the one from earlier in the day. “Thanks, Uncle Tom! I love you!”

"Love you too, buddy!"

We step inside the poorly lit dive bar. Smoke wafts in from the back patio, and maybe a dozen or so other patrons are scattered throughout the interior. Behind the bar a lynx looks up and squeals when he sees us.

“Oh, my God! Tommmm!! Bitch get over here!” He beckons. “Where have you been?! I’ve been so worried, you never update your Insta–”

“Cody, this is my nephew, Reese.” You had to take control of the conversation with Cody.

“Nice to meet you, you a friend of my uncle?”

“THIS is Reese?! The boys are going to fall over each other for you, babe.” He quickly mixes a drink and slides it down the counter towards a customer. “Tom is like, my favorite customer.”

“Whys that?” Reese asks.

“He is such a sweetie.” Cody coos. “I’m shocked no one gobbled him up already!”

“Lucky us!” Reese wraps an arm around me and squeezes.

“Yeah, yeah… I’m showing the kid around, can we get a rum and coke and…?” I look up at my nephew.

“Just a light beer, someone's gotta keep this hunk outta trouble!” He shakes my shoulder.

“First ones free, to celebrate!” Cody quickly prepares our drinks and sends us on our way. “Stay out of trouble, your uncle has told me all about your antics.”

“I bet you could tell me some stories.” Reese laughs.

“Like you wouldn’t believe, he ever tell you about that time he dated this wolf couple who–”

“Let’s sit on the patio.” I attempt to drag the horse away from the gossiping Lynx.

“Another time, Cody, nice to meet you.”

We find a secluded table outside upwind from the pair of smokers. Reese takes his time observing the place, it wasn’t anything special but it was pretty much the only gay bar in town you could have an actual conversation.

“Place is kinda cool. You come here a lot?” Reese asks.

“I used to, haven’t in a long time, though.”

“Why not?”

“Haven’t made my return to the dating scene since me and Bruce split.”

“Bruce sounds like a dick.”

“He wasn’t so bad, he–”

“He’s a dick. Forget Bruce!”

“So you think I should find some company tonight, huh?”

“N-not, uh, maybe not tonight.” He looks away.

Once again the mention of me dating makes him uncomfortable. I guess it’s like thinking of your parents having sex. You know they do it, but you’d really rather they not bring the matter up in front of you.

I sip my drink. “Don’t worry, all about you tonight! If you meet a guy you want to take home though…” I laugh.

“I already know who I’m taking home…” He barely whispers.

“What was that?”

“Nothin’, I’m gonna go to the bathroom.” He shuffles off.

I’m only alone for a moment as a heavyset grizzly takes Reeses’ seat. I roll my eyes at the familiar face. He stares at me and takes a long, slow, drink of his beverage until it’s all gone. He wipes his muzzle and winks.

“Tommy, haven’t seen you ‘round for ages.”

“Bruce. I’m here with my nephew, please go away.” I sip at my drink.

“The big fella? Pfft. Why don’t we ditch the kid and I can introduce you to my new roomies.” His toothy smile makes me uncomfortable. “You’d like em’.”

“Sounds like you miss them. You should get home.”

“Don’t be that way, Tommy!” Bruce laughs.

“I said no.” I roll my eyes.

“You sure? I remember it bein’ purty easy to persuade you.” He reaches across the table to me when suddenly Reese swats his hand.

“Back off, dude.” His eyes are hidden by his shaggy mane, but I can tell he’s furious.

Bruce stands, his height equal to Reese's. “Why? Me n’ Tommy go way back. We was just gettin’ reacquainted!”

I try to get between the two behemoths, but there’s no way I can actually get them apart. They continue growling at each other as I desperately attempt to defuse the situation. Why did he have to be here tonight?!

A paw grabs my arm, but it’s not Reese. “Come on, Tommy,” Bruce yanks me into his chest and grinds his crotch into my rear, one hand slipping past my jeans and roughly grabbing my bare cheek.

“Ow, Bruce that–”

“Just lemme have another go at your cute little ass!” He squeezes again. “Forget the–”

THWACK.

“Get off, you fuckin’ creep!” Reese catches me as I fall back.

“FUCKER BROKE MY NOSE!” Bruce wails from the patio floor.

Footsteps rush to the patio and there’s an explosion of activity. Reese drags me off to the side and I sit, dumbfounded, as Cody tries to figure out what just happened. Eventually the Lynx summons their security guard, a nice young crocodile named Quinn, and he tosses Bruce outside.

Cody rushes to my side. “Babe! Oh my God, he is so banned. Are you okay?” He hugs me tightly.

I return the hug and pat his head, he’s one of the only people in this place smaller than me. He takes that as a positive sign and releases me before starting to disperse the crowd of onlookers.

“Let’s go, please.” Reese groans.

“Yeah.” What a disaster.

I jump as I feel Reese cup my rear and push me to the door.

What?