FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Well, so sometimes my brain decides that its just gonna spit out a story unexpectedly, for no reason at all. There is more floating around in the creative stew that makes up my subconscious, I just know it, so sometime, this will be continued. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

If you like it, please let me know, so I can keep giving you what you enjoy, and if you see anywhere where I can improve, please let me know that too.

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I woke up sore, as I had every day for over a year. Today, it was my legs, actually just about everything lower than my stomach. It made sense, of course, considering what I had been putting myself through over the last few months. Groaning, I managed to force myself upright in the bed, my abs still protesting from the heavy core workout I had done two days ago, though the real pain came when I stretched forward, reaching for my toes. Wincing as the muscles flared in protest, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, pulling myself further, my head getting closer to touching my knees, stretching until I could feel the tension beginning to ease. Relaxing my position and settling back for a moment, I seriously considered rolling over and going back to sleep. It was Saturday. I didn't need to get up today. Not really. Then, as always, the other side of my brain, the stronger side, told that voice to shut it, that I needed to get up and get moving.

Swinging my legs to the side with another groan, I sat up, my bare feet settling onto the carpet next to my bed. The view out of my bedroom was of the quiet suburban neighborhood where my family lived. The usual sounds of lawnmowers came in from various points outside, along with the warmth and fine, glorious sunshine of summer. It was all familiar, all so mundane and normal that it should have been comforting. And, for the previous seventeen summers of my life, it had been, seeming like a sort of safety blanket against the increasing weirdness of the world. But now...

In direct defiance of the soreness of my muscles, I felt the beginnings of the familiar pressure, deep down inside. I tried to ignore it, getting up and doing a few more extensive stretches, working the stiffness from my body piece by piece and looking at myself in the mirrored door of my closet. Since I had gotten into high school, I had been athletic, and I had thought I looked good, keeping trim and fit. I had been good enough to get onto the track and cross country teams, and last year I had played wide receiver on the football team, since the coach had sort of scouted me during gym class. I didn't have the natural bulk of most football players, nor did I have a good throwing arm. But I could run, and I could dodge, and I had good enough coordination to catch. But for the last few months, since the start of the last month of school, I had been going all out, pushing harder than before and it was showing. The blonde crew cut I sported fit with the musculature of the athlete I was. My dad had applauded my dedication when I had started my new routine, saying I was acting like a real man now. Speaking of... I thought, hearing his voice from his office/man cave down the hall from my bedroom.

“...No, I think its good, it will send a strong message." He was saying and I waited, wondering what he was talking about. “I know, I know, public opinion is all about inclusion and all that, and that is all well and good, but there is a difference between inclusion and losing who and what we are. Its time those animals understood that." Of course. I grimaced, feeling the pressure that had started within me intensify and I tried not to let it get to me. I tried to let it go, knowing I needed a rest today. But, the harder I tried to ignore it, the more the pressure increased. Pulling on the t-shirt I had worn yesterday to make myself decent, I walked out of the room, heading down the hall towards the kitchen. The way the house was set up, to get to my destination, I would have to walk past my dad's office, and that used to be fine. It still was, in many ways. But walking by that room these days always made the urge worse, stirred the need within me. Padding softly by, I glanced through the partly open door and caught a glimpse of him, the sight stirring up a lot of memories.

He was a big human being, six foot three, easily weighing in at two hundred and sixty pounds and he still looked as robust and muscular as he had when he played college football, and later on when he served in the army. One whole wall of his office had pictures and trophies from those years; his college team, him in combat gear with a couple of other officers somewhere with a lot of sand, and so on. He was blonde, like me, and lantern jawed, cultivating a look that was almost right out of central casting for a Man's man. His back was to the door, the phone call he was on occupying his attention, which was a definite good thing in my estimation, since I wouldn't have to interact with him yet. Heading into the kitchen, I found my mother at the counter, chopping away at something probably intended for dinner tonight while the audiobook she was listening to played through the speaker mounted on the counter. I had slept in a little today, not getting up at the crack of dawn like I had been, but Saturday was supposed to be the day I spent resting anyway, so it didn't matter.

“Good morning Greg." My mother called over her shoulder when the floor boards creaked under my feet and I mumbled a reply, not wanting to interrupt her book. Instead, I went to the pantry and got the quick oatmeal I had gotten in the habit of having for breakfast, moving to the stove to get it going. “What are your plans for the day?"

“I hadn't really planned anything." I replied, knowing that that wasn't quite true. I had plenty I wanted to do, and plenty more I was definitely trying not to think about. Even as the half-truth left my lips, I felt the feeling of pressure increase again and I swallowed nervously, hoping she wouldn't notice.

“Well, your father wanted me to remind you that you still need to look at those college information packets." She continued, not catching me rolling my eyes.

“I still have another year of high school." I remarked, stirring the pot of oatmeal. It was already attaining the right texture, so it wouldn't be long until I could wolf it down and get on with my day. “Isn't it a little early for that?"

“Well, that is what I told him, but he said if you are going to try for the Academy, you are going to have to get on it." She said and I took a deep breath, savagely suppressing the sigh that threatened to escape my lips, feeling the pressure building even higher. There was no ignoring it now, I knew. If it got much worse, I wasn't going to be able to stand it.

That was my father's latest thing. Now that I was a proper athlete, which in his opinion included only football players, and I had been on dates over the last year, my next step in becoming a 'proper man' was to go to the Army's officer academy, something he himself hadn't even done, in order to serve a term before getting on with my career. The fact that he hadn't even asked if I was interested didn't seem to matter. After all, being a male, of course I would be interested in the manly pursuit of being a soldier. The urge, the need that was surging within me was so strong in that moment that I almost chucked breakfast in the bin so I could deal with it, but I restrained myself, knowing that that would only lead to more questions. Instead, I didn't reply to her statement, pouring the porridge into a bowl and setting it on the table, along with a glass of orange juice before sitting down, shoveling a spoonful into my mouth so I could avoid talking.

“Anyway, I know you still have some time, so its fine." She commented, and I grunted a reply, my mouth full. “You know, Denise's mother called yesterday." Another grunt was all I wanted to say to that. Denise was the last girl I had gone on a date with, the pair of us having been set up by our parents and strongly encouraged to go. It hadn't been a bad evening, honestly, but the fact that we had almost nothing in common had sorta precluded anything developing. Fortunately both she and I agreed on that topic, something neither of our parents had seemed to figure out. “She says that Denise is still free most of the time."

“Well, I'm pretty busy." I lied, scooping the last dregs of grain onto my spoon. What I was doing wasn't necessary, I knew. Nobody on the school teams was doing what I was doing, pushing themselves so hard. But my father approved, and that was enough for my mom to let it go. Before she could persist in trying to set me up on another date, I stood up, putting my bowl and glass in the dishwasher, the pressure inside me boiling over. “I'm going to go for a run, I think."

“Ok, honey." My mother said, her eyes on her work, apparently oblivious to my sidestepping the issue. Hurrying back to my bedroom, I scooped up my phone and typed a text message Need a run. Are you free? While I waited for a reply, I changed into my running shorts, athletic shirt and running shoes, my legs protesting every motion. This was exactly what I had wanted to avoid today. But this was the only way to relieve the pressure. About a minute later, my phone chimed and I smiled at the reply, getting up and clipping the distance running belt around my waist, pausing only to snatch up my music player and headphones on my way out from the room. I was almost past the kitchen, almost out and free when my mother stopped me, calling from the kitchen as I passed. “Can you do me a favor, and take this tray in to your father? He is working through lunch again today."

“Sure." I replied, slipping the music player's arm band around my upper arm before scooping up the tray with a smile. A smile that faded the second I was out of sight in the hall. I didn't need this, not now. The pressure was already getting unbearable. Swallowing nervously, I knocked twice on his office door and pushed it the rest of the way open with my shoulder. He was off the phone now, and typing at his laptop, but he smiled when I came in.

“Ah, thank you son." He said, indicating a clear space next to the humidor of cigars he kept for when he won his cases, directly opposite the crystal decanter of bourbon. The room always scented faintly of both indulgences, along with the leather of his office chair. I used to think those smells were just the way the room should smell. The smells of adulthood, the scent of success, and what I should strive to be. But... “You off for another run? I thought you were taking it easy today."

“I thought about it." I replied, telling the truth so the lie that followed would be easier to believe. “But I don't want to lose my edge. I pushed hard all year, so why stop now."

“'Atta boy." He said, grinning and nodding. “That is the kind of attitude that sets us apart, you know."

“I know." I said, trying to cut off the rest of this all too familiar set of statements before he could go on. It didn't work.

“Yeah, we are part of a dying breed." He said, reaching for the sandwich on the plate I had brought in. “What with all the ani...the nonhumans in the world, beg pardon. That and all the sissy nonsense we are supposed to put up with. I just don't know what the world is coming to anymore."

“Well, I'm sure you will figure it out." I replied, slipping my headphones into my ears and heading for the door while he took a big bite. Fortunately, me wanting to get to running was a perfect excuse to short-circuit his diatribes, because he naturally accepted it. The real reason was something I couldn't ever say to him. I couldn't imagine what he would think if I told him the real reason. Well, actually, I could. Which was the problem that made the urge so powerful.

Leaving the house, I started my music playing, starting out at a easy pace at first. It wasn't a jog, but it wasn't a hard run either, just enough to convince my body that it had to keep running, not slow down. Heading off down the street, I waved to a few neighbors, all humans, all going about their normal, suburban lives. By the time I had reached the end of the block, I was picking up the pace, the pressure driving me harder. I knew I might see some of the other kids I had played with during my younger years, and I might even see a couple of my teammates, who might want to join me on my runs. Which was why I increased speed.

I knew my dad was a caring man. He had raised my brother and I well, providing for us and pushing us to excel. Both my parents were like that. They wanted us to succeed in our lives, as they had. All the parents in the neighborhood were like that, and I didn't mind it. I knew I was lucky to have parents that cared, and to live in such a place. But I just wished they didn't think that success could only be what they defined it to be. I just wished that they didn't latch on to the idea that only humans and human priorities mattered. My parent's generation had actually been the one that had begun this whole thing, and maybe that was why it bothered them so much.

Wincing, I lengthened my stride, purposely stretching the muscles further with each step, trying to head off the brewing pain in my complaining left calf muscle. When my parents had been young, the technology to let people define their own species had become a reality, coalescing seeming like magic out of disparate pieces. In very short order, it had exploded in popularity. Almost over night, humans had gone from existing solo in the world, to being just one of dozens, then hundreds, of sentient species. The dynamics had shifted too, until only about a quarter of the original populations of humans remained, which still left them as the largest single species, but no longer the most numerous. Things had been tense for a long time, but round about the time that my parents were in college, things had come to a head, and the government had finally settled things, at least legally, by pointing out that the nonhumans hadn't forfeited their rights or status by choosing to be something else, and therefore they were deserving of equal rights. And truthfully, I think most humans understood and accepted that on at least a sub-conscious level. That should have been the end of it.

But, then, as my parents had gotten entrenched in their careers, and taken over for their parents in running things, more issues had arisen. Human communities, or at least, the kind of humans that my dad seemed to think had the right idea, had drawn closer together, tacitly excluding nonhumans. My neighborhood, with all of its normal suburban feel, and all the friendly sets of good people and good parents, was an example of the effect happening half by accident. The neighborhood, originally one huge horse ranch that had been bought up and developed, was surrounded on all sides by three natural areas maintained by the city like parks, which formed an unintentional natural barrier to mixing with the nonhumans. Nobody was nasty about it, not really. I hadn't even noticed it, until my first track meet freshman year. It was awfully stark, when the stands for the other team were a riot of fur, scales, feathers and skin, and ours was all human.

Reaching the edge of the park on the northeast side, I turned and began to run along its edge, picking up the pace on my aching legs, endorphins starting to kick in, easing the pains and making it easier, though the pressure was only building further. The pain was the only way to keep that pressure in check, to keep myself from giving in every moment I could. There hadn't been any speciesism on display at any of the sporting events I had gone to, far from it. No one had made an issue of it, and both teams had always been friendly, or at least, as friendly as competitors ever got. And, after the meets, the parents had mingled as cordially as could be expected, no matter what they said at home, in private.

Grimacing, I shortened my stride back down, the change in the arc of my legs easing the pain in my leg, but I could tell from experience that it wasn't going away. The complaint was the result of pushing my muscles too hard too many days in a row, and I knew it. I also knew that physical discomfort I could ignore. This constant, ever-increasing pressure was not. Fortunately, I knew the real destination of my run was close, so I put the pain out of my mind, continuing to run at my usual pace returning my mind to my earlier thoughts. Though they didn't say it, I knew my parents wanted me to perpetuate the cycle that had led them to the place we were at. My brother had fit the mold to a T, already looking forward to his last year at college, already anticipating getting his desired posting in the Army after his graduation and commissioning. And I tried to appear to be the same, tried to be the man that my parents wanted me to be. They wanted me to study hard, so I studied harder than they said, pursuing extra credit and advanced programs. They wanted me to play sports, so I worked out harder than I needed to, pushing myself to the limit as often as I could. They set me up with dates, so I dutifully went and dated. All so I could be the man they wanted me to be.

Seeing the dense forest in the distant center of the park, I changed course, running towards it, picking up my pace even more, running hard, pushing harder than ever, like I had done yesterday, the day before and every day I had taken this route. My cross-country coach had told me that people only run like that when they have something either to run away from, or something to run towards, and the best runners always kept that focus in mind. I ran this hard because I had both. I ran this hard, away from the neighborhood for two reasons. One, was so I could take it easier on the way back and still keep my normal running time. The other, was that I had a secret. A secret I couldn't tell anyone, a secret I didn't dare even come close to revealing, at least not yet. The trees were close now, the thick underbrush usually a deterrent to visitors. But I picked my spot carefully, only slowing down from my dead sprint so I could duck under the branches of a tree, following the familiar path I had carefully charted.

Finally, deep into the trees, I slowed to a walk, coming to a stop in the dimness of a thicket that had grown so close together that undergrowth couldn't get enough sun to survive, leaving a clear space of grass forgotten by the caretakers of the park, my chest heaving, my legs feeling like rubber. Doubling over, I gasped, taking a drink of water from my bottle. I had made damn good time, all of my heavy workouts having paid off. And now I could take the weight off my leg, leaning against the tree to let my leg rest. All the same, I didn't have long to wait before I saw a flash of bright color coming from the direction of the other side of the park. Then, the flash of color resolved itself into a silhouette that was definitively not human, moving between the trees.

The figure was about my same height, having a runner's build somewhat like mine. He was clad in a pair of running shorts, and an athletic shirt, his clothes not unlike mine, but colored in a red bordered black pattern that stood out just right from the orange fur that covered him. His face was angular and slim, the characteristic vulpine muzzle being a dead give away for his species, even if you disregarded the fluffy, white tipped tail that was behind him. He was panting, his own run having been equally taxing to have gotten him here so quick. But, when he saw me, he picked up his walking pace into a light jog, and I matched it, pains forgotten, meeting him at the edge of the thicket, my legs wobbly for another reason. We didn't call out to each other, didn't even remove our headphones. We didn't need to. In another moment, his arms were around me, and mine were around him. Our lips met in a kiss so fierce and needy, it would leave both of us breathless when it ended, our tongues meeting as it deepened. It wouldn't matter. Not for long.

“Mmmmh?" Sean murmured when my hands trailed down his back, landing on his shapely butt and squeezing, the need almost unbearable. Breaking the kiss, he gave me a sly grin, his paws returning the groping touch on my own backside. “You are in a hurry today."

“Sorry." I muttered, nuzzling my nonhuman lover's neck as our bodies pressed together, the bulge in my shorts grinding against his. “I just..."

“Need to be you, the real you." He finished, understanding better than I could explain. That was what had attracted me to him from the start, even more than how damned sexy he was. “Don't worry hon, I'm not complaining. Parents again?"

“Yeah..." I replied, leaning in for another kiss, one hand sliding under the band of his shorts to find that he wasn't wearing underwear, just like me, the other going back up his back, tracing his spine beneath his luxurious, fragrant fur. Giving a sigh as the velvet of his paw pads slid into my shorts and grabbed on with both hands, kneading with his fingers just the way I liked it. “God, I need you."

“I'll take care of you, Greg." He whispered, leaning in and nipping at my throat with his sharp teeth, the teasing motion making my entire body throb with arousal. I gasped as he followed the bite with a soft lick, his breath making me shiver despite the summer heat. The rush of sensations I had been anticipating all day were already better than the endorphins of the run, my legs shaking, barely keeping me on my feet. As Sean's paws slid up under my shirt, his claws pressed into the skin of my back as he dragged them upward, the sharp feeling making my knees quiver. “Oooh, someone's sensitive."

“Hah…" I managed, shaking as his claws reached my neck, making my head spin. I knew his claws were leaving marks on my skin, not drawing blood, but the scratches would stay for hours. That was exciting all by itself, and Sean knew it. I was panting now, the pressure I had been feeling becoming excitement so intense I could barely talk. “H-how are you so good at pushing my buttons?"

“Heh heh…" He chuckled, his grin broadening into something almost predatory, leaning in for another passionate kiss. “Isn't that the job of your boyfriend?"

“Fair point." I whispered, staggering as he pushed. The force of the push was far more gentle than the look on his face would imply, but he didn't need to be rough. I didn't try to resist. This was exactly what I wanted, after all. I almost fell against the tree behind me, in the middle of the clear space. My body was reacting as it had every single time, my heart hammering so hard I couldn't hear the distant sounds of the music coming from the headphones that had fallen out of my ears sometime during our ravenous embrace. My sore, wobbly legs were only barely holding me up, forcing me to cling to the rough bark of the tree to stay on my feet. A moment later, Sean's body cupped me from behind, pressing up against me, his arms sliding up under my shirt again, his claws giving me a matching set of marks on my front as my back as he traced his way down towards my waist. The anticipation was killing me, the need becoming so intense it was almost painful. “Oh my god…"

“Mmmm…" He whispered into my ear, nibbling my earlobe with his front teeth. “I think you are ready."

A moment later, his paws caught my waist band and pulled, the exercise shorts falling to the level of my ankles, leaving me half naked in his arms. A moment later, I felt the slick material of the fox's shorts drop away from between us as well, and now a different sort of shiver ran the length of my spine. The sensation of my vulpine lover's shaft pressing up between the cleft of my butt was like being touched by a cattle prod, my body aching for Sean in a way I hadn't even imagined a year ago. He ground against me and I arched my back against him, feeling his breath against the back of my neck as he licked me there, raising goosebumps all over. Even as he reached down, the velvet pads of his left paw brushing my erection, I felt the other reach into the pouch on the belt around my middle, easily unzipping it. A moment later, I felt him chuckle as he extracted a small tube from among the packets of energy gel most distance runners kept there.

“We are gonna have to get a new one of these." He remarked, flicking the cap of the lube open with a thumb, nuzzling my other ear and grinding against me again. “We have almost used it all." I shuddered in reply, sucking in a shivery breath at the memory of the reason why the tube was almost empty. “That, or I'm just going to have to claim you raw."

My face flushed at the thought, knowing cognitively that neither of us actually wanted to try to do that, but my body didn't care. From the shiver that passed through his lithe frame, I knew that my lover could feel how his statement had affected me as I flushed. But then, he pulled back from me, and I leaned over a little more, knowing that the teasing was done, both of us so ready for this. A moment later, I lowered my head, letting out a sigh as I felt the slick sensation of two of the fox's fingers rubbing a dollop of lube around the ring of my pucker, the muscles relaxing on instinct even before he pressed them inside me.

“Good boy." He remarked, working his fingers in and out a couple of times, eliciting a moan from my throat as his other hand dropped the lube back into my pouch before deftly unclipping the belt, letting it drop. I knew what was next, and when he withdrew his digits from inside me, I couldn't help but press back, showing him what I wanted. My boyfriend didn't hesitate to give it to me either. A moment later, I felt the tapered tip of his vulpine penis touch where his fingers had been, the fox letting me savor the sensation for a moment before he pressed forward with his hips. The feeling of his slick cock sliding into me made me quiver in delight, my knees almost giving out as he gave me what I had been craving since I woke up.

Actually, I had been craving this since before the first time we had done it. Another excited moan came from me as he slid all the way in, the small increase in size from his unformed knot pressing against a sensitive spot as he came to a stop. With the opening of his sheath pressed against me, Sean let out a breath of satisfaction, both of us luxuriating in the sensation as his warm body pressed tight against me. Leaning in, he nipped the back of my neck again and I cried out softly. My cry was cut off a moment later as he gently pressed his fingers against my lips, his rich voice heavy with lust as he whispered into my ear.

“Shhhh..." He whispered, withdrawing his cock from my body only to thrust it back in hard, his hips colliding with mine as I pressed eagerly back into him. “Someone might hear you." Trying to rein in the involuntary sounds of pleasure that accompanied each thrust, I kissed his fingers, his other hand tracing its way down my belly as he humped against me. “Unless you want someone to catch us..." My cheeks burned with a blush at the thought, my breathing picking up with his pace. We weren't going to last long like this. Of course, we never did, the first time. We couldn't. It just felt too good for both of us.

“I can't stop." I whispered, my explanation broken by another moan as he buried himself inside me fully once more, his knot swelling steadily, filling more of my insides with every thrust. “Oh, you feel so good."

“Mmph." He said, pausing in his rhythm, all the way inside once again. He had never stopped before in the middle like this, and I had to wonder what he was doing. “Take off your shirt."

“W-what?" I asked turning my head towards him, the surprise of his order stirring the excitement almost to breaking point.

“I want to see the marks I left." He whispered, leaning in to kiss me one more time, his breath panting. “I want to show the world as I breed you." That statement made me tremble at the mental image and I immediately let go of the tree, reaching for the edge of the shirt. At that moment, the only thing keeping me from falling forward was my lover's orange furred arms wrapped around my torso beneath the shirt, and it surprised me that even as I was pulling the shirt up over my head, he was already going back to his thrusting. Then, as the long red lines of his claw marks were revealed, his pace picked up, a growl coming from his throat as his hips slapped harder against me.

“Oh god Sean!!" I moaned, the words coming out strangled as I tried to keep quiet, and suddenly I could feel the peak coming on quick. I tried to hold it back, but though experience let me hold myself back from it for a few crucial moments, there was nothing I could do to stop my body from tightening up on his member, the sensations only getting more intense as I clenched. That did it, my lover's pace getting ragged, his knot growing to its full size and he groaned in my ear, resisting his orgasm the same way I was resisting mine. I could feel a cry building in my throat, the climax barely restrained, but before I could make a sound, right as he gave one last deep thrust, I turned my head towards him, the fox's mouth covering mine, his kiss smothering the sound of our lust. I could feel the familiar warmth begin to spread into my guts as his penis pulsed within me, filling me with his seed, and I clenched down harder.

The throbbing of his climax was translated through his knot, pressed tight against something sensitive inside me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, my own penis starting to throb almost in time with his. I had never even believed it was possible to climax without being touched before I had been with him, but it never failed, always pushing me over the edge. This felt like nothing else, my entire body quivering with the intensity of it. If his muzzle hadn't been keeping me quiet, I would be announcing my pleasure and need to the world loud enough for the whole park to hear. Then, finally, with a few, final, twitching pulses, our orgasms subsided, and we broke off the deep, hard kiss, panting and gasping, shuddering against one another. But now I had a real problem. My legs had been rubbery and weak before we had had sex, but now, I could almost feel them giving way. I might have completely collapsed had I been alone. But, I wasn't.

“Hah." My boyfriend sighed, obviously feeling my legs quivering against his. Nuzzling my cheek with a another sly grin, he whispered again. “Come here you." Before I could reply, he had clutched me to him as he spun us to the side, slumping so his back was against the tree a little ways around the bole from the mess I had made. “Ready?"

“Uh huh." I replied, panting, returning his smile. Then, with a familiar motion that tugged delightfully on the flesh lodged tightly in my rear, he slid down, pulling me with him until he was seated against the tree, with me settled more than comfortably in his lap. Giving a sigh of satisfaction, I slumped back, settling my weight onto him, which slowly put more pressure on the point of our joining, locking us together even more securely. My eyes closed for a few moments, the sweet scent of the air now flavored with the familiar scents of our almost daily romp amid the trees.

A moment later, I felt Sean gently nibble my shoulder again, his hands stroking down my chest, his claws delicately outlining the muscles of my abs, no longer leaving marks and I shivered in delight, the sensations draining away the pressure. It was almost perfect, only one thing keeping it from achieving that level of nirvana. Fortunately, we had done this so often, we knew each other's needs and desires so well that we both acted to correct it at almost the same moment. My legs managed to kick my shoes and shorts free without jolting the tie within me, Sean sliding his shirt off while I did that, and finally, we sat there against the tree, clad in nothing at all. Even as I lay in that perfect bliss, it got even better, the delicate touch of Sean's claws smoothing into velvet as his paws spread against my skin, spreading into a gentle, but solid hug as he pressed me just that little bit harder into him, his muzzle raising to my ear.

“I love you Greg." He whispered, my heart soaring in my chest at his words. Of all the times and all the ways we had said those words, this always meant the absolute most to me. For all of his teasing and faux-aggression while having sex, he was in actuality the sweetest, most tender person I had ever known. Every time we sat like this, no matter if it was just when we were idly snuggling, or enjoying the afterglow, he always whispered it into my ear, like he was telling me a secret, always when he was holding me close. This was my secret, or part of it anyway, the secret I didn't dare tell.

“I love you too, Sean." I replied, returning the whisper, stroking his arms with my fingers, nuzzling my head against his. My eyes were half closing as the remaining pressure and tension drained away. Even the hot summer air felt cool against my skin and I shivered in relief, his paws gently stroking my skin, making me sigh.

These moments really were perfect to me. The feeling of his soft fur against my skin, our quiet breathing, and of course, the sensation of being intimately joined to the person I loved more than anything. When I was here, with him, the only expectation that mattered was that we would sit like this until his knot shrank enough for us to separate, that we would hold each other as long as we could manage. The only questions for the future that either of us cared about, was if we would have it in us to have sex again before we had to finish our runs and go back home, or whether we would rather spend what time we had merely snuggling, enjoying being together instead. I never felt more fulfilled then in these few precious moments. A deep sigh escaped my lips and my vulpine lover nuzzled under my jaw, echoing the sigh as he held me.

The quiet comfort of being held by him like this lasted a few more lazy moments, before my trance-like satisfaction was broken by the sound of distant voices, reminding us both that everything was hardly perfect. If it was, we wouldn't be hidden in a thicket in the woods. We wouldn't be hiding at all, if it was perfect. If it truly was perfect, I wouldn't be living every day, yearning for more moments like these. Shifting slightly and turning my head to look into the golden brown eyes of the fox I loved, giving him a smile that he returned, giving me another squeeze with his arms before relaxing. We were going to be stuck together for a while yet, and I had learned very early in our relationship that being held close while knotted gave you plenty of time for introspection. And, on days where the pressure drove me crazy, I couldn't help but think about how this had started, how I gotten so lucky.

The first time I had had the slightest inkling of my desire for the fox that was holding me was also the first time I had ever realized my preferences weren't like that of my human friends. It had been at a cross-country meet almost two years ago, when Sean and I had faced off in a race. I hadn't thought anything special about the slim red fox I had been paired against at the event, at least, until we had gotten into our stride and found ourselves about equally matched in our pace. When the track we were running entered a park and narrowed down until there was only enough space for a single person abreast, I found myself a couple strides behind him for a mile at least. As we had run, my mind had started drifting, and I had found my gaze drawn to the curves of his handsome physique, the mesmerizing sway of his tail with every footfall leaving me unable to look away from him. I had managed to keep my mind from going there at the time, not wanting to admit to myself what I had been thinking about, but when the path had widened, and I had drawn abreast with him, he had glanced over at me, and that was the first time he had given me that characteristic sly grin of his. And then, as now, it had made me blush bright scarlet.

At the time, I had pushed my pace to get ahead of him, trying to keep my mind off of it, but, after a few minutes on the run, he had drawn up beside me, getting ahead again, but this time, as he passed, his long fluffy tail had brushed teasingly up my side and I had shivered so hard, I had almost tripped. And again, I hadn't been able to look away, my eyes glued to his form, from the rusty brown socks of fur on his vulpine legs all the way up to the top of his ears, and everything in between. We were just coming to the top of a hill when he turned his head, catching me looking, and had given me a roguish wink with another grin that had absolutely short-circuited my brain. That, unfortunately, made me loose my footing altogether and I tumbled. I could easily have gotten hurt in the fall, but I landed lucky, rolling once before ending up sprawled part of the way down the slope. Being young and fit, I immediately started getting back up, only to find my opponent standing in front of me, offering me a paw to help me back to my feet.

Sean could have ignored my fall altogether, since we were racing. I wouldn't have blamed him at all if he had used the opportunity to take a lead I couldn't recover from. None of my teammates would have hesitated to do it. But Sean came back to make sure I was ok, helping me up and helping me dust grit off my clothes. He had apologized for making me trip, but he said he couldn't resist flirting with someone as cute as me. I had blushed scarlet again, stammering inarticulately, then he had given me another wink and beckoned me to follow as he started running again. Again, I hadn't been able to stop looking at him, even though that had caused me to fall the first time, and I had finally decided that, since I obviously couldn't fight it, I might as well enjoy the view. It wasn't like I had to do anything about it, or even think about it after this. This time, when he glanced back and caught me looking, I hadn't tripped, managing a grin in reply to his this time. He had slowed his pace slightly, just enough that I passed him, his tail expertly brushing against me again as I ran by. This time, I glanced back after a little and damn if he wasn't staring at me too, the obvious admiration making my heart soar in a way I had never felt before. It quickly had become a game, the two of us trading places every so often for the rest of the race, neither of us too concerned with who was winning.

When we came to the end of the route we were running we had stopped playing, not wanting any of our teammates to suspect anything between us. But oddly, I had found myself unwilling to actually beat him as we came to the finish line. Setting aside the mutual attraction we obviously had, he had been an excellent sport and come back to help me, even though I was his opponent. He hadn't wanted to beat me either, it seemed, so instead we had crossed the finish line at the same time, ending the race, ironically, in a tie. We hadn't raced against each other again during the meet, and I had rather naively thought that my attraction for the handsome creature was a passing thing, and I wouldn't have to think about it again. Then, after the meet was over and the teams lined up to shake hands in passing, Sean and I had been the last in our respective lines, and when my hand met his paw, I had been startled to feel the crinkle of paper in my palm and he gave me one last wink before walking away with his teammates.

I had hidden the scrap of paper until the team was on the bus back to school, my heart hammering in my chest like a drum the whole time. Finally, when the rest of the team had been laughing and joking loudly, I had glanced at the paper in my hand, finding the words 'call me, cutie' with Sean's name and number written on it. Every subtle, background detail of male teenage life willed me to wad up the paper and toss it out the open bus window. Every expectation of my parents told me to ignore it, to pass off the attraction as nothing and toss the paper with the non-human's number on it in the garbage. Instead, I had refolded it carefully and slipped it back in my pocket, my whole body getting goosebumps. I hadn't done anything with it, hiding the folded paper, unsure of what I even wanted to do. At least, I hadn't, until that night, when my dreams had made it VERY clear what my subconscious wanted. The next morning, I had lain in bed longer than normal after waking up, heartily embarrassed about the erotic dreams in which the handsome fox had featured prominently. I had spent the next couple days struggling with my thoughts and restless sleep until finally, I had broken down and called him.

I had been incredibly awkward at first, but Sean had been nothing but nice and welcoming. We had talked for over an hour, and after that, we had texted and IM-ed every single day for months, getting to know one another, neither of us mentioning what we had been doing during the race, but it had been lurking around in the background the whole time. We hadn't made any plans to do anything back then, since we hadn't even spoken in person yet. Until, by chance, both of our teams ended up at the state cross country meet on the campus of the state's university, and once more, we found ourselves matched up in a race. It took exactly sixty seconds for us to fall back into that game we had played the first time, but this time, I got in on the teasing too, brushing him gently with a hand when I passed him. By the end of the race, both of our hearts were pounding with way more than the run.

Our race was the last one before the meet broke for lunch, and instead of going with our teams, we had slipped off instead, meeting up in a secluded spot away from the athletics complex where the meet was centered. We had planned just to talk in person for the first time, but that didn't last very long. We didn't do everything we had wanted, not having the time or the privacy, but we had done more than we probably should have. But, being horny teenage boys, face to face with someone we were attracted to, it had probably been inevitable. Our first kiss had been as awkward as anyone might expect, but the make out session that had followed had wiped all of that away, as had the grinding and groping we had enjoyed. We had had to stop there, aroused as we were, because we did actually have to eat, but we had parted with a promise to continue later. That had been the day I had stopped struggling against it and accepted facts.

A moment later, I felt the familiar shifting sensation in my guts and I shuddered, my thoughts coming back to the present. Sean gave me a regretful grin, nuzzling against me one more time before he released his grip on my torso, allowing me to shift my weight forward. As I shifted away from the tree, settling onto my knees, my lover's wilting member slid out of me as I pulled myself off of him, the familiar, slick feeling sending pleasure dancing up and down my spine. Giving a groan of satisfaction, I turned back around immediately so I faced him, and we shared another deep kiss before he moved towards me. He gently pushing me over into the short, tufty grass, and I went willingly until we were lying out full length, resting side by side together, lounging so we were looking at each other.

I looked admiringly at him for a few moments, reaching out and tracing one hand through his fur, smiling contentedly. We were quite a pair, honestly, both of us under expectations that didn't fit. I was a human pursuing the suitably manly pursuits that everyone seemed to expect, including dating girls, who was actually a gay bottom in a devoted relationship with a nonhuman. He was a slim male fox with the same body type that was stereotypically portrayed as a slutty bottom, who was a top devoted to one lover. And then, as he reciprocated the touch, I looked down, troubled.

After the state meet, we had had 'the talk' and decided we were going to pursue each other, even if we had to hide it. We had made plans to sneak out to see each other several more times before we went further, both of us too nervous to do it. Then, one day, when his parents had been away for a night, leaving him with the house to himself, we had finally done everything we had wanted, staying up late having sex several times before passing out in exhaustion. Waking up that next morning, held close in his arms, was still one of my most cherished memories. Ever since then, we had hungered for one another, figuring out ways to snatch moments like this. It hadn't been until Sean had told me about this place that we had been making a regular thing of it. But every time we were together, the pressure seemed to get stronger, seemed to build up quicker. And that was the other half of my secret. At Sean's concerned expression, I sighed, gritting my teeth.

“What's the matter, hon?" He asked, tracing the line of my chin with his fingers, making me look back up at his eyes.

“Its nothing Sean." I said, smiling, but there was no putting him off track. It was time for me to tell him anyway. He should know what I was thinking. After all, if I couldn't tell him, who could I tell? “When you said I should be quiet or we would get caught..." When I didn't continue, he looked perplexed, cocking his head at me.

“I was just teasing..." He said, his ears starting to fold back. “I know you like that."

“I do Sean, I love it." I confirmed, taking his hand. Here goes... “I have just never told you why." Now he looked really confused and I let out a breath, ashamed of what I was going to say. “I...I almost wish someone would catch us."

“What?" He asked.

“I'm tired of hiding Sean." I told him, my heart almost seizing up at my confession. “I want the world to know that I love you. I want everyone to know how you make me feel when we are together. I'm tired of living every day for the few minutes I get to hold you. I want...I want to feel like this all the time."

“Oh Greg, come here." He said, gathering me to him so my face was buried in his chest, holding me to him. “I want that too. But you know why we can't. Especially now, with what is going on."

“I know." I replied, my voice muffled by the fragrant orange fur of his chest. “Which is why its so hard."

“We only have to make it another year, hon." He said, gently kissing the top of my head, making me cling all the tighter to him. “Then we will be off to college and you will be out from under, and we won't have to hide anymore."

“Its just..." I whispered, nuzzling against him. “I wish I had the courage to tell my folks. I hate hearing them talk about you the way they do."

“My people are used to it by now." He said, and I could hear the warmth of his smile as he continued. “Besides, I don't need their approval. All I need is yours."

“I love you so much Sean." I said, clinging to him tightly.

“I love you too, Greg." He said, stroking my back with his hands. All I wanted was to stay there with him forever, but a sudden electronic alarm from the direction of our discarded clothes reminded us that we only had these few, precious, perfect moments. I felt Sean let me go, reluctantly slackening his embrace to reach over and hit the alarm he had set, but I only tightened my embrace, not letting go. Not today. Not this one time. “We have to get going, love."

“Just a couple more minutes." I whispered and I felt him quiver in my grasp. Looking up, I met his gaze once more, seeing the love and desire in his eyes. “Please?"

“Alright." He replied, turning off the alarm he had set, a broad smile on his lips. “We can stand to be a little late." We settled back into our comfortable embrace and I closed my eyes, blocking out the world for just a little longer. It couldn't last, no matter how much we wanted it to. A few more minutes of paradise was all we could afford and all too soon, we really would have to go. But for now, we had what we wanted, and nothing else mattered...