FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-I-

Saturday morning Mark Harper ignored the heat warnings on his weather app and set out for his morning walk, the same as every day. He had not missed his daily walk in eight months, not since Heather had moved out, leaving him alone in an apartment that suddenly seemed very big and very lonely. He had suffered through the freezing winds and deep snow of winter and weathered the unusually heavy spring rains. He was not about to let a little record-setting heat wave keep him from his daily ritual.

Dressed in t-shirt and khaki shorts, and his brand new, bright white running shoes, with a healthy slather of sunscreen on his skin and a bottle of water clipped to his belt, Mark set out for the Lowell Park, a short way from his home.

Despite the heat, already oppressive even before noon, Lowell Park was as crowded as ever. In just ten minutes Mark had already exchanged cursory hellos with a dozen familiar faces - all of them with comments on the terrible heat - and petted four dogs he knew.

“Mark!" a familiar voice called behind him. “Looking good, man!"

“Good morning, Jack." An old friend from Mark's school days, Jack had finalized his divorce around the same time Mark split up with Heather. Jack seemed to believe this gave them a special bond, but Mark wasn't sure he agreed.

Jack jogged in place as he came up next to Mark, keeping his arms and legs pumping and moving backwards so he could face Mark. “You really are out here every day, huh? I admire the discipline, man, I really do. And you're looking good. Real good."

“Thanks, I guess," Mark chuckled.

“But you really want to tackle that gut you gotta hit the gym with me, man."

“That's not why I'm out here," Mark said with a sigh. Same conversation, every other day. “And come on, I'm not fat I'm… husky."

“No, no, of course not!" Jack spread his hands apologetically. Mark had been fat when he was young, and sensitive about it. Jack had spent many more years defending him against bullies than being one himself, but his post-divorce health kick had him saying some insensitive things lately. “I'm just saying, you're never gonna get that six-pack just walking in the forest."

Mark laughed. “I think I missed the boat on the six-pack a long, long time ago."

“I thought so too, man, but look at me now!" Jack lifted his too-tight tank top, showing off his stomach. Six-pack might be generous, but he was in incredibly good shape. “I'm telling you, you get on the keto-…"

“Absolutely not. I'm not doing keto," Mark said firmly. It was time to change the subject. “Hey, check it out, brand new shoes." He lifted one foot to show off the bright white running shoe. “Breaking them in today."

“Nice. What did you spend on them?"

“I'm not telling you how much I spent on shoes, Jack"

“Why? These put me back six hundo," Jack said proudly, pointing at his own designer sneakers.

“Don't say 'hundo.'" Mark grimaced. “And that is way too much for shoes."

“Hey, I deserve it, man. Gotta have the finer things, you know?" Jack grinned. “And the ladies notice, trust me."

“That's your line now? Telling strange women you have expensive shoes?"

“Whatever works, man." Jack shrugged. “Look, don't be jealous just because I got right back out there while you're still pining-…"

“I'm not pining," Mark interrupted. “Jack I'm… fine, alright? I'm a grown man, not some teenager who got dumped at prom. I'm just… not interested in meeting anyone right now, okay?"

“Okay, man. If you say so. I didn't mean anything by it." Jack shrugged again. Since the divorce he had been a bit much for Mark, but there was genuine concern in his voice. “But for the record, the chicks today really go for the whole bearded daddy vibe you've got going…"

“Nope, that's enough!" Mark laughed, shaking his head. “I see Katie over there, I'm going to go say hello."

Jack turned to look where Mark was point. “Ugh, Commonplace Katie? You could do better."

“Fuck off, Jack," Mark said, in the way you can only say that to a real friend.

It was Jack's turn to laugh. “I'll catch you later, okay? Drinks tonight? I'll text you."

Mark rolled his eyes as Jack jogged off. He knew his friend was going through a hard time but the whole 'recently divorced' vibe was starting to wear thin. And it was unkind to say those sorts of things about Katie Strickland. She wasn't the sort of person who could take that sort of ribbing.

Katie was sitting in her usual place in the park, perched on a big sandstone boulder in the shade of an old maple tree, her feet firmly planted on the ground, her nose deep in a paperback book with a title like “The Duke's Apprentice" or “Passions of the Gentry." She'd always try to hide them, but Mark knew what sort of stories those were.

“Good morning, Katie," Mark said softly as he approached, doing his best not to startle her.

She looked up quickly, peering at him through unfashionable glasses that did nothing to complement her square-jawed face. Mark thought she would be quite pretty if she did something about those glasses, or let her hair down from the harsh, tight bun she always had it in.

“Mark!" Katie said sharply, lowering her book quickly and turning it face-down in her lap. She made only the most cursory eye contact with him before averting her eyes to the ground. “Good morning."

He stepped into the shade of the tree, thankful for a little shelter from the sun. He was already sweating right through his shirt. “How are you, Katie? You must be melting in that sweater."

“I'm perfectly comfortable here in the shade, thank you," Katie said, though Mark thought she looked like she was wilting. “I'm not going off on a big hike like you."

“You're always welcome to come along, you know," Mark said, pulling the water bottle from his belt and taking a big drink. He'd need to ration it if it was going to last him all the way out to the point.

“No. Thank you. Not today." That was her answer every time he offered. It was never today, and Mark knew it never would be. But he also heard the hesitation in her voice every time, so he wouldn't stop offering. Katie might never take him up on it, but she'd know someone cared enough to ask. She seemed like the kind of person who needed a reminder of that, once in a while.

“I'm kind of reconsidering it myself today, to be honest," Mark said, glancing up at the hot sun. “But I've got these new shoes to break in. Good book today?"

“No, not really," she said quietly. “But I picked up more than one the other day. I might switch to one a… friend recommended." She didn't normally mention other friends. Must be someone special, Mark thought, but he couldn't dare ask her about it.

“Right… Well, I won't keep you from it." Mark knew the shy woman could only handle short encounters, but he also knew she'd smile when he said “See you again on my way back?"

She did indeed smile, and even blushed a little bit. “I'll be here."

“See you then," Mark said with a big smile of his own, and started on his way again.

He had been a lot like Katie once, long ago. In those days he had depended on Jack to help him get out there and be social. That was how he had met Heather, and then she built up his confidence and helped him to really come out of his shell.

But Heather was gone now, and Jack was… Jack. Still, Mark was better than he had been, and the walks helped with meeting and seeing people. He thought Katie might get there one day, too, with a bit of kindness and patience.

For now, though, Mark had a walk to take. Just a little hike, out to his favourite spot in the park, a secluded point overlooking the lake. Well off the main path, past the big field where young adults picnicked and children played and teenagers threw around those ridiculous flying discs. Into the rougher, woodsier part of the park, the semi-wilderness where the paths were not maintained, where you'd only run into the occasional bird-watcher or another oddball like Mark. If you were lucky, you might spot a coyote or fox, even the occasional deer.

Mark picked up the pace. If he was quick enough, he might be able to start back before the day got really hot.

-II-

By the time Mark reached his favourite spot he wanted to die.

Mark had badly overestimated his tolerance for this kind of heat and humidity. His water bottle was dry and had been for some time, he was pretty sure all his sunscreen had been sweat off (much of it running directly into his eyes) and he was powerfully regretting his decision to wear his brand new shoes, which were pinching and squeezing his swollen feet.

But he had made it at last, and he could collapse into the old wooden bench that looked out over the lake, watch the boats floating in the distance, and gather his strength before starting back home.

He landed with a thud, the old bench creaking a bit under his weight, and stretched his aching feet out in front of him. There was a slight breeze coming off the lake, a cooling relief under the blazing sun. He'd grab a Gatorade as soon as he got back to the city proper. Or a Coke, more likely.

Mark's shirt was soaked through, clinging to his body uncomfortably. He sat up a little, looking around quickly to make sure no one was there. No one ever was, of course, or at least rarely enough that it shouldn't matter. Besides, there was nothing wrong with going shirtless on a day like this, but growing up as a fat kid had left a few lasting scars on his self-esteem, and Mark preferred to stay fully dressed in public.

Today, though, he would make an exception. His shirt felt just terrible plastered against his skin, and it was getting all stretched out. Certain he was alone, Mark peeled off his sweaty shirt, immediately relieved by the feeling of light wind against his wet skin. He draped the shirt over the back of the bench to dry, and leaned back to enjoy the sun and breeze on his body.

It was very important, he thought to himself, to not doze off. That would be a nasty sunburn for sure, if not full-blown heatstroke. But it was so quiet here, so cozy and warm.

What seemed like an instant later, Mark started awake, head resting at an uncomfortable angle and straining his neck, a gross streak of drool on his chin. He groaned and sat up straight, rubbing his neck and wiping his face. How long had he been out? The sun was still high in the sky, couldn't be past noon yet. And as far as he could tell he hadn't burned… yet.

He was reaching for his phone when a shiver went up his back, and he froze in place. He had the haunting sense that he was being watched. He glanced around the little clearing by the lake side, but couldn't see anyone. He was as alone as ever, but he couldn't shake the feeling…

The silence was broken by the sudden SNAP of a branch breaking nearby. Mark twisted his body to the right, in the direction of the sound, staring into the undisturbed bushes and trees of the little forest. “Hello?" he called. “Is someone there?"

Nothing. Just silence.

“I'm cracking up," Mark muttered. “Too much sun."

He turned back to his left to retrieve his shirt – it must be dry by now – only to find himself looking into the deepest, darkest blue eyes he had ever seen. He yelped at an embarrassingly high pitch, nearly jumping right out of his skin before he realized what he was looking at. “Oh for goodness sake."

Sitting at the edge of the clearing, quite some distance away from him, really, was a fox. Just a common red fox, its coat shining in the summer sunlight, sitting and watching him calmly despite all the noise he had made, tail swishing casually behind it.

“You're the one that's been spying on me, huh?" Mark asked the fox, chuckling. It just kept on staring at him.

There was something unsettling about the fox's gaze. Mark had seen foxes around the park before, but they were usually quite shy and elusive, running off once they knew you had spotted them.

And he had never seen an adult fox with blue eyes before. He hoped it wasn't rabid or something. “You okay there, buddy?" As if in response, the fox tilted its head.

A strange feeling of vertigo washed over Mark. There seemed to be a ripple in the air around him, like something was changing in a way he couldn't quite perceive. It felt like the air had become heavier, like the sun was shining in a slightly different tone of light. It felt like the world just seconds before a thunderstorm, though there was not a cloud in the sky.

Can I pet your dog? Mark didn't hear the question so much as he felt it, echoing strangely inside his own head. It was like a dozen voices all speaking at once… or maybe a single voice that hadn't yet decided what it wanted to sound like.

“My… what?" Another wave of disorienting vertigo passed over Mark. There was a weight in his hand, and when he looked down, he could see he was holding the end-loop of a nylon leash. He followed it along to his right, to see a German shepherd sitting next to him, panting and staring at him intensely. Was it… Wilson? The dog his family owned when he was a kid?

“What's happening?" Mark asked, his voice sounding far away in his own ears…

Mark started awake again. Head hanging at the same uncomfortable angle, embarrassing drool on his chin. He groaned and sat up straight, rubbing his neck. He had been… dreaming? “What the Hell?" he muttered, trying to clear his head.

“I asked if I could pet your dog," a voice said immediately to his left.

“Shit!" Mark hollered in surprise, nearly falling over he jumped so badly. For a brief moment he was sure he was going to have a heart attack.

He stared at the woman standing next to him, first in shock and surprise, and then in something more approaching awe. She was gorgeous, possibly the most beautiful woman Mark had ever seen. Clearly an athlete, a runner probably, like the ones that jogged past him in the park every summer day. She had the same slender, streamlined build, and toned muscle showing clearly under flawless sun-tanned skin. She was dressed for running, too, in just a silvery-gray sports-bra and tight black lycra shorts. It was unusual to see a runner this far from the paved paths of the more well-traveled parts of the park.

Mark realized he was staring at this poor woman's body like some kind of… well, like Jack. He quickly lowered his eyes, looked over at his own hand. He wasn't holding a leash anymore. The big German shepherd from his childhood was nowhere to be seen. It had all been some kind of weird dream.

“I don't have a dog," he said idiotically, turning back to the woman. He made sure to look at her face this time, but that turned out to be a mistake, too. She was gorgeous, with a narrow chin and high cheekbones, and a shock of red hair cut short on the sides but long on the top, swept back over the crown of her head.

But it was her eyes that stopped him dead, left him staring like an idiot again. She had the deepest, darkest blue eyes he had ever seen. The same eyes as the fox in his dream.

The woman gave him an odd, concerned smile. “Are you alright?"

“I'm sorry," Mark said, wiping a hand over his face, shutting his eyes tight for a moment. “I think I've had too much sun."

“You need water," the woman said, holding out a bright pink plastic water bottle. Mark hadn't noticed her carrying it before. Probably because he had been too busy staring, he scolded himself.

“Thank you. Yeah." He took the bottle, surprised how cold it felt to the touch. He quickly unscrewed the top, taking just a little sip. It was ice cold. She must have frozen the whole bottle before she went out. “Thanks."

Suddenly, the woman sat down next to him. No warning, no introduction, just right next to him on the seat, far too close to sit to a stranger you've just met. Especially one so overwhelmingly attractive.

“Oh… uh… My shirt," Mark said, reaching to grab it.

Before he could, the woman leaned back, pinning it to the bench. “That's okay," she said, smiling at him. Mark could feel his heart flutter. What a smile! “I don't mind. Go on, drink more. You need it."

Mark hesitated, but the strange woman was right, he really did need the water. He took a long pull from the bottle, gulping greedily at the ice cold water. It was remarkable how delicious plain old water could be when you really needed it. He didn't want to drink all her water, but when he stopped to check, the bottle wasn't even half-empty.

“Go on," she said beside him. “You need it more than I do."

“Thanks," he said again, and took another drink. He kept his eyes firmly on the boats in the distance, not wanting to stare again and make the woman uncomfortable. It was not at all like him to be thrown off this badly by a pretty face or an… incredible body. Not since he was a teenager.

He glanced down at her leg, her toned thigh so close to his they were nearly touching. Her long, shapely calves leading down to… “Oh hey, same shoes!" Mark lifted one foot, smiling at the woman.

“Oh! Yeah, I guess so," the woman said, looking just a touch sheepish about it. Mark couldn't imagine why.

“How much did you pa-… Never mind." Mark turned his gaze steadfastly back to the boats. He wasn't going to ask what her shoes cost. It had just slipped out. “Forget I said that."

The woman suppressed a giggle, which oddly put him at ease a little. He took another drink.

They sat there in silence for a while, watching the boats. Mark was not used to being at such a loss for words, but the woman had approached him at a confused moment, freaking out over weird heat dreams about talking foxes and long-dead dogs.

Besides, if she was comfortable sitting silently with a stranger while he drank all her water, why shouldn't he be? He was starting to feel a lot better, too, even though he somehow still hadn't drained even half the water bottle. Still, he thought, he shouldn't drink the whole thing.

He turned back to the woman, meaning to hand her bottle back to her, meaning to thank her again, tell her he was feeling much better. Instead he found her already looking back at him, smiling brightly and watching him with her intense blue eyes. His words froze in his throat. He couldn't remember what he was going to say. “Uhm…"

“It's beautiful here," the woman said softly, turning back to the lake.

“Oh? Y-Yeah…" Mark went on staring at her a moment, the sharp profile of her perfect face, the startling red of her soft, shiny hair… He blinked and shook his head, pulling his eyes away. Stop acting like a weird idiot! “Yeah, it's nice. I come here a lot."

“I know," the woman said. After a moment of silence, she turned back to him. He met her eyes, fighting the temptation to let them pull him in again. “You're always alone, though."

Mark blinked at that. “What?"

“You're always alone when you come out here." The woman shrugged. “It's such a nice spot, but you don't share it with anyone. Why not?"

“I don't know." Mark had never really given it much thought. “I guess I don't have anyone to ask. No one who would say yes, at least. I brought Heather out here a couple times, but she never really saw the point in walking so far just to stare at boats."

“Who's Heather?"

“Oh, uh… My ex." Not the best choice of topics to bring up with an attractive stranger, he thought.

“Wife?"

“No! Thank God," Mark said without thinking. “Oh, no, I don't mean… We were together for a lot of years, but we never got married. We still get along, we just… It's for the best we never got married, that's all I meant."

The woman smiled sympathetically. “What happened?"

“Nothing, really, we just sort of… grew apart." He shrugged, turning to the boats again. “I know it's a cliché, but I guess I loved her but wasn't in love with her. Turns out she felt the same, so we went our separate ways. That was last year… eight months ago, I think? I've been on my own since then." He shrugged. “My friends say I need to 'get back out there' but that's… hard, you know?"

Mark looked down at the mostly-full water bottle, swished it around a little. Surely he had drunk more than that? “Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you this."

“Probably the heatstroke," the woman deadpanned.

Mark laughed. “Yeah, probably." Something occurred to him, and he looked back up at her. “Hey, how did you know I come out here alone?"

“Oh!" This time he seemed to have taken her off-guard. “I've… seen you. A couple of times."

“Really? I don't think I've ever seen you. I would definitely remember that." He winced a bit. “Sorry, that sounded like a line."

“It's alright," the woman said, smiling an odd, crooked smile that Mark couldn't quite read. Amused? Quizzical? “You're kind of shy, huh?"

“Not usually." Mark gave a sheepish grin. He was starting to feel a lot more comfortable, though. This woman was good company. “You caught me off-guard, I guess."

“I caught you asleep," the woman giggled. “Asleep and heat-strokey."

“Yeah."

“And shirtless."

“Yeah. Speaking of which, can I…?"

“Nope," the woman said, shaking her head and grinning at him before turning back to the lake, keeping her back firmly pinned against his shirt.

Mark found himself smiling, too. He was beginning to think she liked keeping him off-balance like this. He was beginning to think he liked it, too. He hadn't felt this way in some time. It was unexpected. Exciting.

He set the water bottle aside, extended a hand to her. “I'm Mark, by the way. Mark Harper."

She turned to him, taking his hand in hers. He felt the slightest tingle of static electricity as she touched him, a tingle more than a shock, though she didn't seem to notice. “It's nice to finally meet you, Mark Harper."

“Likewise," he said, shaking politely. He waited a moment, but when she didn't go on, he asked, awkwardly “Uh… and your name is?"

A strange, sad look crossed her face suddenly. Of course she didn't want to give her name to some strange man in the woods! Mark quickly let her hand go. “It's okay, you don't have to say."

“No. No, it's alright. It's not that, I just…" She took a breath, and seemed to make a decision. “Vee. You can call me Vee."

“Okay," Mark said, nodding. “Vee it is. Nice to meet you, Vee." Very nice. He watched her a moment, let his eyes wander down her toned, beautiful body again, then realized she was still watching him back and quickly turned to watch boats. He was quite certain he was blushing.

“I'm sorry about the whole dog thing," Vee said after a moment of silence.

“What?" Mark turned back to her, confused. “What dog thing?"

“Yeah, that was my mistake. I was just really hoping to pet a dog."

“Oh," Mark said, feeling very mixed up. “But that was… my dream, wasn't it?"

“Maybe. I guess." Vee shrugged uncertainly. She seemed nervous all of a sudden, strange considering how easy and casual she had been up until now.

“Mark… since you don't have a dog…" She seemed to choose her words very carefully. “Would it be okay if… I pet you, instead?"

-III-

Mark didn't answer for a long time. He just sat there, staring at the woman, Vee, who had made such a bizarre request. A request that, at least to Mark, seemed extremely intimate. His mind was racing, and so was his heart.

“I'm sorry," he managed finally. “I think I must have misheard…?"

“It doesn't have to be weird," Vee said suddenly, turning her body towards him and pulling her feet up onto the bench. She averted her eyes from his, strangely bashful for someone making such a bold proposal. “Just a little… pet on the head. Perfectly innocent. Just some… human contact." She shrugged, and rolled her blue eyes back to him. “You look like you could use a little pet."

Mark could hear his own heart beating loud in his ears. He could fall into those eyes, he thought. Fall forever. He would do just about anything to keep those eyes turned on him. And it had been a long time since anyone had touched him in any meaningful way. Not just for the heck of it, for the sake of human contact.

He swallowed past a huge lump in his throat. “Just… perfectly innocent, perfectly normal human contact, huh?"

Her smile widened, turning into that crooked, quizzical smile from before. She blinked, seemed to shake something off, and nodded. “It doesn't have to be weird."

Mark hesitated a long moment. “Yeah," he said finally. “Yeah, okay. It doesn't have to be weird. You can… uh… pet me, if you want."

Vee grinned brightly and pulled herself up onto her knees, getting some height. She had been standing while he was sitting earlier, and Mark hadn't realized until now that she was actually quite a bit smaller than him. Just about all women were, of course, Mark was quite tall, but he was just now realizing that she was quite petite.

She leaned against him, and he tensed up, keenly aware of her breasts pressing gently against his arm. She placed a hand flat on his head, gently stroking his shaggy brown hair. “See?" she said after a moment. “Nothing weird about that, right?"

“No. No, I guess not." Mark chuckled. “That's fine. It's… nice." He caught some hint of an unfamiliar scent in the air. Was it her de-odorant? It smelled nice. Flowery. Roses maybe? And something like… warm melted butter.

Vee shifted her balance, bracing one hand on his shoulder. He felt her fingers dip down deeper into his hair, combing through it, sharp nails tracing gently along his scalp. A shiver ran down his spine, and he took a sharp breath.

“You like that, huh?" Vee asked.

“Uh… Yeah. Yeah, I do." Mark's eyes drifted shut, and he found himself leaning towards her a little, leaning into the petting. “That's actually… really nice."

As she went on stroking his head, Mark could feel himself drifting into a comfortable daze, getting lost in the sensations of the hot sun and this strange, beautiful woman running her hands through his hair. He was vaguely aware of her other hand sliding down his shoulder, stroking through the wiry hair on his chest.

He could stay here forever, he thought, leaning further into Vee and letting out a small, contented moan.

“Good boy," she cooed.

Mark snorted a laugh, the spell broken. Well, mostly broken… “Okay, now that's a bit weird."

“Oh, you haven't seen weird, Mark Harper. Not yet."

Mark smirked. “Okay, fine, what's 'weird', then?"

He opened his eyes and was startled to see Vee's face right up next to his. Intimately close, breathing the same air, practically cheek to cheek… lip to lip. She seemed just as startled as he was, blue eyes wide in alarm. She pulled back from him, dropping her hands to her lap as she settled back into a sitting position. She turned her eyes away from him.

Mark wished he hadn't said anything at all, wished he had kept his eyes closed. “Vee, I-…"

“You want to see weird?" She looked back up at him, her expression very serious.

Mark felt a little tickle at the back of his neck, like a warning of danger. She seemed so serious all of a sudden.

“It's okay if you don't," Vee said, looking away again.

“No," Mark said quickly. “No, no, that's okay. I… uh… I can probably handle a little weird." He smiled, uncertain. “If… If that's what you want."

Vee looked at him again. She stared into his eyes, as if she was searching for something. It felt like she was looking right into his soul, eyes piercing straight through him.

“Okay." Vee sat up again. “Just a little weird."

Vee braced herself on his shoulder again and crossed one leg over him. Mark's heart was fluttering like a bird trapped in his chest. He raised his hands, not sure where to put them. “W-What's going on?" He was keenly aware of how his body was reacting as the beautiful woman settled into his lap, one knee to either side of him. If she moved the wrong way, she'd be aware of it, as well.

“It's okay." Vee's voice was calm and gentle. She took Mark's hands, guiding them down and placing his palms on her taut, lean thighs.

“What…" Mark hesitated, swallowed past what felt like a huge lump in his throat. “What are you going to do, exactly?"

“Nothing you don't want me to." Vee reached up, taking his head in her hands, running her fingers through his beard and gently stroking his face. “I promise. Do you trust me?"

“I… I guess," Mark said, staring into her blue eyes again. “Yes," he said, and knew it was the truth.

Something was moving in the corner of his vision, just outside his line of sight. It would appear at one side of Vee, then swing back behind her to appear at the other side. Something big and bushy and red. But he couldn't take his eyes off of hers to get a good look. “What… What is that?"

“Something weird," Vee said softly. She ran her hands further up his face, along the sides of his head, tracing long, lazy circles over his temples. He shivered as her fingertips brushed lightly against the backs of his ears. “Relax."

Mark took slow, steady breaths. He leaned in towards her a bit, leaned into the petting, his eyes slowly drifting shut. “That feels… really good," he whispered.

“Mmhmm," Vee's touch was strangely velvety as she stroked his ears, slow and gentle. Each stroke seemed to linger more than the one before, pulling his ears up and slightly away. It felt as if she was stretching them out, pulling them upwards, further and further, towards the top of his head. Longer, larger, more sensitive to her touch. He felt one of his ears flick against her fingers… at least, he thought that was what he felt.

“That feels..."

“Good?" Vee's voice sounded amused.

“Yeah," Mark said breathily. “Yeah, but also sort of…"

“Weird. I know. You're doing well." She let his ears go and slid her fingers down his face, through his beard and along the line of his jaw. “It's going to get a bit weirder." He opened his eyes a little, dozily, and saw her watching him back, her own eyes half-hooded, breathing in time with him. “Are you okay with that?"

“I think so." Mark's voice sounded strange to him. It felt like his tongue was too big for his mouth. To his embarrassment, he realized he was drooling a little.

Mark turned his ears towards Vee. He didn't know how he did it, but he knew that he did. “Yeah," he said. “Yeah, keep going."

She smiled, and tightened her grip on his face. She drew her hands forward, keeping a constant pressure along the full length of his jawline, from the very base of his jaw out to his chin. Mark's eyes fluttered shut again. It didn't hurt, but there was a strange sensation of pressure, the bizarre impression that his face was being stretched and reshaped like clay.

He moaned quietly - almost a whimper, really – and leaned forward, parting his lips slightly. He felt his tongue slip forward, passing over sharp teeth and hanging from his mouth. Vee's scent – her perfume, her anti-perspirant, whatever it was - seemed to be getting stronger. Roses for sure. Roses and butter, and a note of sweet honey.

“Relax," Vee said, barely a whisper. Her hands crawled down his neck. He felt his muscles tense under her touch, swelling and thickening. She should have been well below his beard, but he could feel her fingers moving through thick, rich hair anyway.

Mark realized he was moving his hands, stroking Vee's firm legs just as she was stroking him. A moment ago her legs had been smooth and hairless, he was sure, but now when he stroked down he felt a sleek, velvety softness, and when he stroked back up, the little tickle of tiny hairs rising and snapping back under his fingers.

That scent was everywhere. Roses and butter and honey, stronger and stronger, filling his head with its intoxicating aroma. He took long, deep breaths, drawing it deeper and deeper into his nose, tickling and tingling in his nostrils. It made him light-headed. Fresh roses, warm butter, a hint of sweet honey… and something else. Something wild and hot and alive.

“What is that smell?" he asked, surprised at how deep and rich his voice sounded.

“Oh!" Vee giggled, a light, musical sound. She took her hands off him, and he could feel her lean away from him. “That's… probably me."

Mark slowly opened his bleary eyes. Then he blinked in disbelief, and opened his eyes wide.

The creature sitting in his lap was wearing Vee's clothes. It had the same athletic lines of her body, the same taut, defined muscle, the same soft curve of her hips, the same swell of breasts under her silver sports-bra. Her eyes, deep and blue, sparkling with amusement, were Vee's eyes. He was certain of that.

Instead of Vee's perfect tanned skin, the creature was covered in short, silky fur. White and soft across her stomach, chest, and neck, puffing where it met the edges of her tight clothing. Bright, fiery red across the top of her face, across her shoulders and arms, down her sides and legs, turning smoothly to black gloves and socks on her canine feet and clawed hands. Where Vee's pleasing diamond face had been, Mark now saw the slender muzzle of a red fox, showing sharp teeth from a very human-looking smile. Her ears were furry triangles at the top of her head, turned back and away from him in uncertain shyness, to either side of Vee's familiar swept-back hairdo.

Behind her, a great fluffy tail of red and white swayed uncertainly from side to side, back and forth. A massive fox's brush.

Mark didn't have the first idea how to react to this. This was entirely outside his experience, outside of anything he ever even suspected was possible. He was confused. Dazed. Entirely out of his depth.

Nervously, Mark licked his own nose.

It took him a minute to realize he had done so. He pulled his hands from Vee's furry legs and reached for his own face. He wrapped his fingers around a long, furry canine muzzle. Felt the wet nose at the end. His nose.

“What… What is this?" he asked, voice deeper, richer than it had ever been before. “What's happened to me?"

But he already knew the answer to that. Somehow, he knew.

Mark had the head of a dog.

-IV-

Mark stared into the mirror. A German shepherd stared back.

Well, no, not exactly a German shepherd, just something very close to it. The face had the big powerful muzzle, the sharp teeth and long tongue, the sharp ears near the top of the head, currently flopped pathetically to the sides in confusion. But it was still more expressive and intelligent than a dog's face, more human, somehow.

It was the same with Vee's fox face, Mark realized, turning his gaze to see her still grinning at him, holding a mirror she seemed to have produced from thin air. She was something very much like an animal, but still very much human, as well.

And his eyes were the same. Brown and wet and sad. And very confused.

“Am I asleep?" he asked.

“No," Vee said seriously, pulling the mirror away and tucking it behind her back, where it seemed to vanish into her tail.

“Am I hallucinating?"

“Not in the way you mean. It's more complicated than that."

Mark nodded, though he absolutely did not understand. “How are you doing this?"

“That's even more complicated." Vee was still grinning, but her ears gave her away, drooped and held a little bit back. The tip of her tail was flicking back and forth behind her in short, sharp motions. She was worried. Nervous. “Do you like it?"

“I don't know how to begin answering that question," Mark said, raising his hands to his face again. That smell, her smell, was all over his palms. Roses and butter and honey. He found himself inhaling it. It was like lightning in his nose, electrifying and exciting, but also oddly comforting.

“Hey, hey now," Vee leaned forward, her weight shifting in his lap as she ran velvety fingers through the thick black-and-tan fur that had grown halfway down his chest and shoulders. “It's okay. You're okay, Mark. You're safe."

“That smell…" Mark's voice was like a growl as he took another deep breath.

“You have a very sensitive nose now." Vee reached up and took his wrists, gently pulled his hands down from his face. “You should get used to it soon… I think." Her ears were drooping a lot now. “I'm sorry, is it… bad?"

“No!" Mark nearly barked the word. “No… No, it's… it's good. Really good. I… I can't get enough of it." His nose was quivering, sniffing rapidly in the air. He could smell her from here, so close to him.

“Oh!" Vee's ears slowly started to rise. “Oh…" she smiled.

Mark was panting now, and definitely drooling. He ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth, trying to gather up the saliva before it dribbled out his lips. “I just… I don't know if it means I want to, like, eat you or… uh…" He trailed off. He could feel a blush coming to his face, feel his own ears tucking back sheepishly. But he was also leaning slowly closer to her, drawn in by that irresistible scent.

Vee's mouth spread into that strange crooked smile, unmistakable even on her new face.

“Or what?" she purred, leaning in close. She released his wrists and placed her black-furred hands on his chest. Thick tan fur sprang up where she touched him, curling around her fingers. “What do you want to do to me, Mark?"

Without thinking, Mark reached up, grabbing Vee's shoulders and pulling her close, thrusting his nose tight against her collarbone, pushing under the strap of her sports-bra. He inhaled deep, fast breaths, white fur tickling his nose as he pulled in more and more of her scent.

Vee shrieked. “Wet nose! Wet nose!" But she was laughing, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him close.

Mark pulled away from Vee, clapping his hands over his out-of-control nose. “Sorry! I'm sorry!" Maybe if he held his nostrils shut…

“Mmm… don't be," Vee said, slowly stroking the back of his head. It was oddly comforting, even considering the very strange circumstances. “Is this too much for you?" she asked gently. “We can stop. I can put you back the way you were."

He looked up at her, ears pinned back on his head, and saw how closely she was watching him. There was real concern in her blue eyes, genuine empathy for his confused and conflicting emotions. If he told her to stop, if he told her to put him back to normal, she would. He had no doubt of that.

She had promised she wouldn't do anything he didn't want. She had said that he could trust her.

He did. For some reason, he did. She wouldn't hurt him. Whatever this was, he knew she wouldn't hurt him.

“I-I'm okay." Mark took a deep breath. Carefully, he took his hands away from his nose, and was immediately hit by that smell again – roses and butter and honey and… and something else – he shuddered at the intensity of it, breathed out slowly through his mouth. “I'm okay, Vee. If… If there's more, then… I don't want to stop."

“Okay," she said softly. She drew her hands back, briefly touching his muzzle, tenderly stroking his furry face. “Hold onto me," she said, taking his hands again and guiding them to her hips. “This is going to get… intense."

Vee drove the heels of her hands into his chest, pushing the breath out of him. Thick, shaggy fur started to spread rapidly across his skin as she pushed her hands outward, like she was spreading him out, stretching him like putty.

Mark gasped as he felt his body changing under her touch. His chest muscles tensed, then swelled with new strength, bulging against her hands, growing bigger, deeper, wider.

“Just try to relax," Vee said breathily. She slid her hands down along the slight paunch of his stomach, fur springing up wherever she touched him. “Don't fight it." His stomach clenched, every muscle seizing at once. He groaned as he felt fat melting away, muscles swelling into a tight, firm six-pack. He'd long ago given up any hope of having one of those, now here it was in just seconds.

Vee drew her hands up Mark's sides, and he could feel new muscle tensing and swelling, spreading across his back. He could feel bone straining and shifting inside him as his shoulders broadened, grew round and huge, his body forcing itself into a heavier, more powerful build. He groaned again, arching his back and lifting his hips.

“Oop!" Vee grabbed onto his shoulders before he could knock her off. “Careful," she warned with a sly smile, pressing herself against his new muscular torso.

She moved her hands slowly down his arms. He flexed and bulged, huge biceps popping from his arms, quickly covered over in shaggy black and tan fur.

He felt his hands convulsing, and gripped tightly to Vee's hips. He heard popping and cracking sounds as his hands grew larger, stronger. Blunt claws erupted from his fingertips and soft, fleshy pads pushing themselves out from his palms. He felt so much new strength in his hands, in his powerful arms, more than he had ever experience before… He must be crushing her!

“There we go," Vee said, and Mark felt his muscles relax.

He could breathe again. He could move. He pulled his hands quickly away from her. “I'm sorry, are you okay?"

“I'm fine," Vee said, pushing herself up from him and giving him a puzzled look. Then she tilted her head, that strange crooked smile spreading across her face. “Did you think you were going to hurt me?"

“I… yeah… maybe." He was starting to feel a little silly now. He was big, much bigger than he had been, but he wasn't a monster. “This just feels… powerful. I'm not sure I know my own strength. And I really don't want to hurt you."

“That's sweet." Vee lowered herself again, wrapping her arms around him, under his shoulders, giving him a gentle hug.

“Take a minute. Catch your breath." Vee lay her head on his chest, snuggling into his thick fur, head tucked under his chin. He lowered his nose a bit, sniffing at her hair. He thought he was being subtle until he felt her laughing against him.

“What do you think so far?" Vee asked after a moment, reaching out to his arm, sliding her hand over the curve of his new bicep.

“I… uh… I like it." He flicked his ears as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze.

“Me too." Vee lay there in silence a moment, just stroking his arm, her tail swaying lazily above them.

“You don't have to worry about hurting me, Mark." Vee propped herself up a bit, looking him in the eye. He'd drown in those blue eyes of hers, he knew he would. “You are strong. Stronger than you think. But I'm still stronger."

She parted her dark lips, just a little, moved her face towards his. His heart beat loud in his chest as he leaned forward to meet her…

Then Vee hesitated, pulling back a little. She bit her lip gently, looked at him thoughtfully for what felt like a long, long time.

Mark swallowed, feeling his ears fall turn back on his head. “It's okay, you don't have to-…"

She leaned forward, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips lightly against his. A small kiss. Just a gentle, affectionate little peck on the lips.

Mark felt like his brain had been struck by lightning.

-V-

Mark felt like a dam had burst open inside his brain, releasing a boiling flood of desire, a deep and irresistible longing that he could not fully comprehend. He grabbed hold of Vee's sides and lunged towards her, half-rising from the old park bench, teeth bared in a ferocious growl of wild, untamed hunger. Her! He wanted Her! To touch. To hold. To possess. He wanted to make Her his own. Become one with Her, now and forever…

Mark shut his eyes tight. This wasn't right. This thing inside him, this overpowering desire, this lust, it was too much. It was dangerous. He pushed it down deep inside him, forced it back before he… did something terrible.

“Easy, easy," Vee's voice came to him through a red-hot haze of passion. She was pushing him back gently, sitting him back down on the bench. He felt her perch on his lap again, knees tight and close against his legs. “You're okay."

He opened his eyes, panting for breath. She was watching him closely, cautious but encouraging. “Listen to my voice, Mark. Trust me. You can handle this."

Her scent was everywhere! Roses and butter and honey and wild raging fucking musk! She was all around him. Inside him. Her body, her voice, her scent, her touch.

Her whole self.

_ Her_.

“What… What's happening to me?" His voice was a low, guttural growl, rough and thick in his throat. Push it down. Hold it back. Control it. “What was that?"

“Nothing that you can't handle." Vee was stroking his face, her touch somehow both calming and exciting all at once. God he wanted her. That scent. That body. Those eyes…

Mark pulled his eyes away from Vee's face, looked down to see was gripping her far too tightly, digging his claws right into her sides. Her flesh was squeezed between his fingers, red and angry under her fur. With what felt like tremendous effort, he loosened his grip, pulled his hands away from her. “I-I'm sorry…"

Vee grabbed his wrists. Her hands were so much smaller than his, but her grip was like iron. “It's okay," she said. “You're still in control. Well, actually I am, really." He looked up to see her grinning. “But you're still in control of yourself, okay? You're still in control of your your emotions, your urges… and whether you act on them."

Vee guided Mark's hands back to her sides, stroked them over her soft fur. Slowly… Gently…

“You're doing so well, Mark. I knew you would." She let go of his hands. Let him continue on his own. Slowly… Gently…

She leaned back on his lap, dropping her arms and watching him with half-lidded eyes. Mark realized she was showing him her body, inviting him to enjoy the sight of her, free of any shame or shyness. She held her tail low, moving it slowly back and forth, serpentine and seductive.

“I trust you, Mark," Vee said, raising her coal-black hands to her snow-white stomach, softly stroking her own fur. “We wouldn't be here if I didn't. You can trust yourself." She brought her hands further up her body, crossing her arms over each other and gripping the lower edge of her silver sports-bra. “This is what I want."

Vee raised her arms and pulled the sportswear up and off. Her breasts fell loose, spread slightly to her sides. Heavy and round, rising gently with each slow, deep breath the vixen took. They sloped up, ever-so-slightly, completely covered in snow white fur except where a pair of pink, erect nipples showed through.

Mark realized he was staring. “Oh… my God. Vee, you…"

She grinned a little, tossed her sports-bra off to the side and gave a little wiggle, side-to-side. “What?"

Mark felt strangely calm now. That desire was still there – how could it not be? – but he felt in control now. Confident. Comfortable in this moment, with this woman.

“You're so beautiful," he said, smiling. “You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

He looked up to see that crooked smile on her face again, her eyes gleaming. She immediately glanced down and away from him, and Mark thought he saw just the slightest hint of a blush under all that fur. He could see her swallow and struggle to wipe that peculiar smile off her face, taking a deep breath before she raised her head again.

“I want you to pet me now, Mark," she said, her voice low and husky. “Do you want to pet me?"

“I do," Mark said, smiling eagerly. “I really do."

She tenderly took his hands once again, guiding them up to her chest. “Then be a good boy, and pet me."

Mark took Vee's breasts in his big hands, squeezing ever-so-gently and pushing them up on her body, feeling their weight against his padded palms. Her own hands drifted back to her stomach as she closed her eyes, leaning her head back and murring contentedly.

He moved her breasts in long, slow circles, gently squeezing and massaging, feeling the soft, silk-furred flesh roll through his fingers. Cautiously, he moved his thumbs to her pert, stiff nipples, brushing gently over the sensitive nubs of flesh.

Vee gasped, then let out a soft moan. “Good boy."

Mark grinned, slowly rubbing and massaging her breasts, teasing at her nipples. He could feel her squirm in his lap, see her tail writhing slowly behind her. She rolled her hips forward, rubbing her crotch against his. She was teasing him, just as he was teasing her, rubbing against the growing bulge in his shorts until he squirmed and moaned himself.

Mark carefully closed his thumbs and forefingers around her nipples, giving just a very gentle pinch. Vee gasped, her eyes popped open. “Mister Harper!" she scolded with a wide grin, her tail whipping first one way, then the other. She took a long breath, then whispered, softly “Harder?"

Mark grinned, and gave her breasts another squeeze, a little tighter this time, making her soft flesh bulge pleasingly between his fingers. He brought thumb and forefinger together again, pinching just a little bit harder, giving her nipples just the slightest pull.

She gasped again, throwing her head back and letting out a musical giggle of joy. “Ohhh, you're bad." She raised her hands to his shoulders, pulled herself closer, rocking her hips gently back and forth against him.

“Harder," she said.

Mark nodded, then closed his fingers around her nipples again. Slowly – very slowly – he increased the pressure, tighter and tighter. “Ohhhhh yes…" Vee moaned, rocking against him. He did it again, pulling and rubbing the sensitive nubs in slow, firm strokes. “That's right… Good boy."

Mark could feel a strange pressure at the small of his back, right at the base of his spine, like something was pushing its way out of him. His shorts were getting tighter, too, and not just for the obvious reasons. He could feel new muscle growing on his hips, shaggy fur running down his legs as his thighs thickened. His body strained against the seams of his shorts until they split open, dark fur spilling out.

He stretched his legs out, the old bench creaking in protest as it took more of his weight. How much did he weigh now, anyway? How much could this ancient, rotting bench support?

His thoughts were interrupted by a feeling of release at his back, bone and flesh bursting outward in a sudden rush, forming into a shaggy tail, whipping wildly behind him in growing excitement. He gave a little yelp.

“You okay?" Vee murred.

“Y-Yeah… Just surprised me, is all." He looked up, a playful smile crossing his own face before he suddenly squeezed, giving Vee's tits a sharp pinch.

She squealed in delight. “Ohhhh fuck you." Vee smiled at him, and leaned closer, pushing her breasts against his hands and bracing one hand on his shoulder. She reached down with her other hand, sliding black velvety fingers under the waistband of her tight lycra shorts.

“Harder." It wasn't a request anymore. It was a command.

Mark squeezed, pressing his fingers deep into her firm tits. He closed his fingers tightly around her nipples, pinching and rolling them in slow, circular movements. She moaned and squirmed, reaching deep into her shorts, rubbing her ass back against his hard, bulging crotch. “Oh fuck yes… Don't stop."

Mark could feel bones shifting and moving in his feet, his new shoes growing tighter and tighter, stretching out as his heels rose up his legs. Soon they were too tight to bear, crushing his toes.

There was a popping sound as his right shoe burst apart, followed shortly by the left, bits of material flying everywhere. He sighed in relief, stretching out his big new furry feet and spreading clawed canine toes.

“Oh, I'm sorry," Vee said, settling back in Mark's lap and twisting to look over her shoulder. “Did that hurt?"

“No… I mean, yeah, a little." He loosened his grip on her breasts, but let his hands linger there a moment longer, gazing at them with a dumb smile on his face. “It's okay."

“Your new shoes, though!"

“Don't worry about it," Mark chuckled, dropping his hands to her thighs and stroking his fingers through her beautiful scarlet fur. “Totally worth it."

She turned back to him with a smile, then glanced down at his body. She pulled her hand free from her own shorts, closing wet fingers against her palm self-consciously. Mark reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his hard stomach and laying it flat against him. He wanted more of her scent on him. As much as possible.

He was certain she was blushing this time, crooked smile on her face and he ears straight out to either side. “Well… Look at you, huh?"

“Yeah," he said, looking down at his changed body, broad and powerful, all rippling with muscle. Thick tan fur down his chest, arms, and legs, fading almost to white across his washboard stomach. When he craned his head around, he could see the black fur on his shoulders, down his back and over his tail, which was waving slowly back and forth between the slats of the old bench. “That's a bit weird. I like it, though."

He turned back to Vee, smiling. Her head was at an odd angle, gazing at him, but she blinked when she saw him looking and straightened up.

“I haven't felt this way since I was a teenager," Mark said.

“What, horny?" Vee teased.

Mark chuckled. “No! I mean… Young, I guess. Vital. Invincible." He squeezed her hand. “It's been a long time since anyone looked at me the way you do."

“That's not true, you just don't notice when they do."

Mark chuckled again, big body shaking.

Vee's smile slowly faded while he watched her, and she glanced down, away from his face. “No one has ever looked at me the way you do."

“That's impossible," he said softly. But he didn't think she was lying, he could see there was some kind of pain there. “You're so gorgeous. And just… wonderful."

Vee was smiling again, at least. Maybe someday she'd want to talk about… whatever she was dealing with.

“Oh!" she said suddenly, looking down. “That looks uncomfortable."

Mark's shorts had split along the sides, right along the seams, but the crotch had held somehow. His belt had stretched but not broken, and was cutting painfully into his hips. He felt like he was packed into a speedo two sizes too small. “I wasn't going to mention it…"

Vee slipped back off Mark's legs, and knelt down in front of him. “Suck it in," she said, reaching for his buckle. She gave the belt a quick, sharp yank, popping the strap off the prong and relieving the pressure on his hips.

Mark sighed. “Thanks, that's a lot-… Hey, hold on there!"

Vee already had the button and fly open on his shorts, and her fingers curled around his waistband, but she stopped when he objected, grinning up at him. “Now you're bashful?"

Mark put his ears back. “This is different! I haven't even seen… it myself, yet. What if it's…?"

“Weird?"

“Yeah, what if it's weird?"

Vee laughed softly. She uncurled her fingers from his waistband, flattening it out with her hands. “I just finished remolding your entire body like clay, Mark," she said softly. “You've got nothing down here that will surprise me."

Vee rose to her feet, taking a few steps back from Mark. “But if it will make you feel better…" She turned around, looking out over the lake with her back to Mark. “Tell me when you're ready."

Mark hesitated a moment. “No peeking."

She laughed again, shoulders shaking and bushy red tail waving slowly back and forth.

Mark stood up from the bench, taking a moment to admire how his new body moved, dense muscle rippling under skin and fur. He struggled with his shorts, even with the front opened up the remaining fabric clung tight to his body. He tried to carefully peel them off, but the shorts stubbornly refused to budge, unable to get past the slight curve of his hips and ass.

Frustrated, Mark gave his shorts one good, hard pull. There was a tearing sound as the fabric came apart in his big hands.

“Oh, for crying out loud." He didn't care anymore. The shorts were ruined anyway, what was the point? Mark pulled the remaining scraps apart, snapping elastic and tearing fabric, tossing the ruined clothes away, glad to be done with them.

Then his eyes went wide, as he actually took a good look at himself. “Oh… wow." Mark's massive cock glistened bright pink in the summer sunlight, fully erect and throbbing. His shaft angled slightly upwards, thick at the base and tapering towards the end, where a little bead of pearl fluid was growing on his tip. He could feel his cock's weight, bobbing slightly with every movement, and he reached down to feel a pair of enormous, fur-covered balls hanging between his legs.

How had he fit in the shorts at all?

“Okay, maybe I'm a little surprised." Vee was peeking after all, half-turned back to him and peering through the fur of her own tail wrapped around her. “I may have gotten a bit carried away."

“Just a bit," Mark agreed. “Will I even be able to… uh…?"

The question died on his tongue as he watched Vee unwrap her tail from around herself, hook her fingers over the waistband of her own tight lycra shorts, and pull them down in one smooth motion. She bent at the waist, all the way to the ground, raising her ass and fluffy tail high up in the air.

“Yes, Mark," Vee answered, standing straight and running her black hands through the white fur between her legs. Her pussy stood out clearly against that fur, pink and gleaming in the sun. “I told you, I'm stronger than you."

Vee's scent was so strong now, roses and warm butter thick in his sensitive nose. She stepped towards him, swaying her hips and tail, and he could feel his cock throbbing. She took him in her black-furred hands, velvety pads stroking his sensitive red flesh. He twitched at her touch, and the pearl bead at his tip swelled and spilled over, running down over her fingers, viscous and sticky.

Vee pressed Mark's cock against the soft fur of her stomach, staining herself with his fluids. “Mark… I want to pet your dog."

“Yeah," Mark whispered. “Yeah… please do." He reached to her shoulders and gently pulled her closer, wrapped his big hands around her, exploring the well-defined contours of her back. He leaned his head down, nestled his nose gently against her neck, drinking in her intoxicating scent while she gently stroked and pet his throbbing cock.

Standing together like this, she was so much smaller than him. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder, a tiny thing in his powerful arms. It didn't feel that way, though. Mark felt like he was the small one, helpless and entranced, entirely in the power of this strange, beautiful vixen.

Vee pulled back from him, just enough to look up into his eyes. She smiled as her deep blue met his sad brown. She raised a hand to his face, stroking his muzzle with wet fingers, mixing both their scents.

“Sit down," she said gently, lowering her hand to his chest and giving a gentle shove. Mark practically fell back onto the bench, lifting Vee by the shoulders and pulling her along with him as she squealed and laughed. She landed against his chest, nose-to-nose, while the old bench splintered and groaned beneath Mark's weight.

They gazed into each other's eyes a long moment, then Vee propped herself up, spreading her legs to either side of Mark's big body. He could feel her pressing herself, wet and warm, against his stomach, rubbing herself against him. As if she were marking him with her scent, Mark realized, becoming even harder at the thought, cock rising up against Vee's firm ass.

“I'm going to kiss you again, Mark," Vee said, softly but matter-of-factly. She brought her hands to his face, cradling his muzzle and holding his gaze. “It's going to be a lot this time, okay? More than last time."

She drew close to him. He could feel her breath hot on his muzzle. “But you have nothing to be afraid of, understand? You're still going to be in control. You're still going to be yourself. Okay?"

Mark swallowed past a lump in his throat and nodded, wrapping his arms loosely around Vee. The last kiss had been like nothing he had ever felt before, could he really handle more?

“I trust you, Mark. You can trust yourself, too." Her voice was barely a whisper as she wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head. “I'm giving you permission. You're going to give yourself permission." Mark parted his lips, held her close. “You know what I want you to do to me."

She kissed him. Long and deep, muzzles locked together, lips pressed tight. Both of them reaching out, seeking, finding, joining…

The whole world exploded.

Electric flames of desire burned along every nerve ending in Mark's massive, enhanced body. He felt himself engulfed and consumed by a great and terrible hunger, an absolute need for this woman – this incredible creature. He needed to be with her, to be inside her, to be part of her, drowning in the fathomless depths of her dark eyes.

For the first time Mark realized she felt the same hunger, the same need… No, it was more than that. She was the hunger. She was the need. The living, breathing avatar of an unquenchable carnal lust.

He gripped her tightly, and she pushed her hips against him, rubbing her slick pussy against the damp fur on his stomach, exploring his body with velvet paws and sharp claws.

They broke the kiss, gasping for breath, heaving against each other. Oh god her scent was everywhere! He needed her now. He needed to satisfy this impossible yearning. Her yearning.

His voice was a low, deep growl. “Vee…"

“I know," she panted. “I know." She clung to him a second longer, then pushed herself up, rising on her knees. As she rose, he thrust his face forward, burying his sensitive nose in the soft fur between her breasts, breathing in the thick, musky perfume of her body. She laughed, shaking against him, putting one arm around his thick neck for support.

Vee lifted her hips and reached down, between her legs, velvet fingers finding his hard, throbbing cock and pulling it gently forward, pressing him against her quivering sex. Mark shuddered at the feeling of Vee's heat against him, growled low and rumbling into her chest.

Vee lowered herself onto him, taking small, gasping breaths as he entered her. He felt her slick warmth tight around him. Her pussy seemed to pull him in, drawing him deeper and deeper.

“Oh Vee…" Mark raised his head, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he looked for her blue eyes. “That… That feels…"

“Uh-huh." She smiled as she met his gaze, nodding shakily. “Me too." She raised her hand from below, ran it through her pixie-cut hair, folding over one black-tipped ear and rubbing the back of her neck. She closed her eyes as she pressed down further on him, quivering against his cock.

“Do it," she whimpered, rolling her hips against him. “Do it, Mark. Fuck me."

Mark felt like someone had just cut him free of a leash. He thrust hard into her, arching his back against the wooden bench and lifting his hips right off the seat.

“Oh fuck!" Vee cried, rolling her hips in time with his thrusts. “Don't stop."

Mark had no intention of stopping. He dug his heels into the grassy earth, thrusting up into her again and again, harder and faster, pushing his cock deeper into her tight heat.

Nothing else in the world mattered now, nothing but Her, riding on top of him and moaning, breasts bouncing as he pounded into her again and again.

“Oh yes!" Vee placed her hand on Mark's shoulder, pushing hard against him as if trying to escape, but pulling just as hard with the arm she had around his neck, keeping him close. “I want more! More! Fuck me!"

Mark roared, pushed himself harder, faster, slammed into her…

There was a thunderous cracking sound, the noise of ancient wood splintering and breaking, and suddenly Mark was falling. Vee shrieked in surprise, falling right along with him. His back hit the warm summer grass, and she landed flat against him, bits of shattered park bench tumbling around them.

They blinked at each other in surprise, then both laughed. “Are you okay?" Mark asked, heaving for breath, feeling her weight rising and falling with his chest.

Vee nodded. “Are you?"

“Yeah… Am I still…?"

She answered by clenching her inner walls tight around his thick cock, rolling her hips and moaning in the affirmative. “Mhmm…"

Mark squirmed against the sensation, eyes wide. “O-Okay… Okay… Good." He grinned hungrily at her, then suddenly rolled over on top of her, pinning her against the grass and letting her feel his enormous weight on top of her. She shrieked and laughed in delight, her red tail spread out like a blanket beneath them.

Vee raised her sleek legs and wrapped them around Mark's back, locking her hips against his. She whispered in his ear, “Fuck me."

He thrust hard into her. She let her head fall back on the grass, writhing and squirming underneath him as he pounded into her over and over, big balls slapping against her ass. She held tight with her legs, bucking against him with every thrust.

Vee raised her hands over her head, clawing at the grassy ground until Mark put his own hands over hers, holding her in place. She squeezed his hands tight, gazing up at him, piercing blue eyes cutting through him.

He thrust into her, deeper and deeper, until he felt her pussy clenching tight around the broad base of his cock. He could feel a tremendous pressure, the base of his cock swelling and flaring, tight against her. His could feel his balls twitch and jump beneath him.

“Vee… I'm gonna…"

“I know," she panted. “Do it… C-Come inside… m-me…"

Her words melted into a long, low moan, and he felt her tighten and clench around him, tighter than he thought possible. She arched her back, legs locking tight around him, closing her eyes tight as her whole body shook and spasmed.

A rumbling growl bubbled up deep in Mark's chest, and he roared along with Vee. He felt his balls clench tight and his seed rush through him with what felt like tremendous force, coming harder than he ever had in his life. His dick throbbed and pulsed inside Vee as he pumped his seed into her. Then a second time. And a third.

“Oh, fuck, yes…" Vee sighed, her body slowly relaxing under him. She gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes.. “Oh… fuck… Good boy."

Mark gave a weak chuckle. Despite all his strength he was shaking like a leaf. He carefully lowered their joined hips to the ground, and she pulled her legs from around him. Mark rolled to one side so he wouldn't crush her, and put his arms around her, holding her close to his chest. She was trembling. Maybe even worse than he was.

Vee pressed her face close to his chest, snuggling into his thick fur. “Give me five minutes," she said dreamily. “Then we can start again."

-VI-

Mark lay on his back in the warm grass, watching the sky above slowly turn from bright daylight to the deeper, darker blues of twilight. His tail rested between his legs, occasionally rising up and slapping back against the ground, contented and happy. He breathed in deeply through his sensitive nose, still savouring her smell. All around him, all over him, mixed with his own musky scent in sticky fluids slowly drying and flaking in his thick fur.

Vee lay half-draped across him, one leg entwined with his and her soft, fluffy tail wrapped around his waist, twitching and tickling him every so often. She nuzzled against his neck, one arm laid across his chest. He kept one powerful arm around her, holding her close, gently stroking the soft fur of her side and feeling her calm, even breathing.

“Thank you for this," Mark said finally, breaking the long silence.

“Mm… Thank you," Vee replied, snuggling a little closer. “What are you thinking about?"

Mark chuckled. “Can't you tell?"

“I can, actually, yes. Literally." He must have tensed up at that, because she laughed, a high musical giggle. “Relax, it's only surface thoughts, really. It's hard not to hear them."

“Oh." Mark felt himself blushing, even after everything they had done today. “Okay, that's… new information."

Vee pulled herself up into a sitting position, pulling her legs under her. She smiled down at him, stroking his furry chest. “I politely ignore it, mostly. Nothing counts until you say it out loud." She grinned. “Or unless it's really dirty."

“Okay," Mark said with a chuckle. He reached to take her hand, and she interlaced her fingers with his, squeezing gently. “Can I ask you some questions, then?"

“Of course." Vee nodded. “But I… can't tell you what I am, precisely. It's complicated and I… don't even really have all the pieces myself." Her smile faded a little, and Mark could see sadness in her eyes. “And I don't want to ruin the mood."

He squeezed her hand gently, in a way he hoped was comforting. Vee took a breath, seemed to shake off the intruding sadness. “I can tell you that you aren't in a coma, you don't have heatstroke, and you haven't gone crazy." She grinned again. “I'm really here. I'm real. At least, I'm as real as anything else you know."

“Wait, what does that mean?"

Vee laughed. “That's even more complicated. Next question."

Mark smiled, thought for a minute. “Why me? Of all the people you could have… uh… introduced yourself to…"

“Fucked, you mean?"

Mark chuckled and rubbed his face. She was never going to stop throwing 'him off-balance, it seemed. “Yeah, okay, fucked. Of all the people you could have fucked… why me?"

Vee shrugged. “I dunno. You looked… lonely. And you seemed kind." She was quiet a moment, then turned her eyes down, shrugged again. “Maybe… I was lonely, too."

“Maybe I was," Mark said softly, smiling. He was quiet a moment, then let go of her hand and sat himself up.

Vee pulled her knees close up to her chest and wrapped her tail around them. “Oh, this one's serious, huh?"

“I… guess so, yeah." He wasn't really sure he wanted an answer, wasn't sure he was brave enough to ask. “All of this… today… you and me. Is this… just for today? Like a one-time thing?"

The tip of her tail twitched. She was watching him very closely, and seemed to be taking her time answering, picking her words carefully.

“Not if you don't want it to be," she said at last.

Mark released a breath he didn't know he had been holding. “I don't," he smiled, turning his ears back bashfully. “I'd… very much like to spend more time with you, Vee. Oh! Uh… not just… sex and stuff, I mean. Other stuff, too, like… uhm…" What was something people did together? Something that wasn't video games? “Do you know what laser tag is?"

Vee was smiling again, that strange, unreadable crooked smile. Her eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim evening light. She sniffed, and took a deep breath of her own. “I have no idea what that is, no."

She continued smiling at him like that for a long moment. He didn't know what that strange smile meant, exactly, but he liked to see it.

Vee pulled her eyes off him finally and ran a hand through her hair, tucking a stray lock back up behind her black-tipped ear. “So… do you have a place around here, or…?"

“Oh shit!" Mark's looked down at himself, eyes opened wide. “How am I going to get into my apartment looking like this?"

Vee just laughed.