Helping Hands
_ **Helping Hands** _ I grabbed a slice of sourdough outta the pack I'd brought from my kitchen section down below. Being up on the sun-soaked main counter, right next to Tomas, made me an easy target for his pleading over breakfast prep. "Sorry,...
Date Pandas: Part 3
_ **Part 3** _ We departed from the coffee shop once Marek had finished his Charkava. Not a fast process, even once we'd got done stroking one another. We spoke on for the longest time, about things I didn't even know I could speak that long...
The Gift of Giving
_ **The Gift of Giving** _ Friday night. I was still feeling frosty from heading out to top up on groceries earlier that evening. All the more motivation to wrap myself up extra tight and sink even deeper into bed. Sure, I was still sleeping in the...
Gameface: Part 4 (Final)
_ **Part 4** _ I decided to skip our usual post-match ritual long before the final whistle. Usually, I'd have been only too happy to help celebrate a win at the pub with my teammates, especially against a team flying high in the league. Not that day....
Perspective
_ **Perspective** _ "Purpose of your visit?" I'd been standing silent in line so long that I'd almost forgotten how to talk. Jet lag had my head all kinds of mashed up, too. No matter. The ultra-formal, no-nonsense crow glaring at me from behind her...
Rock Bottom
_ **Rock Bottom** _ I stretched my legs, then my arms and back, grumbling as I stirred in this makeshift bed of mine. A faint bar of light seeped between the gap in the giant door ahead, saving me from total darkness at the bottom of this wardrobe I...
Voices
_ **Voices** _ '_Dear Jiri,. Thanks for taking the time to meet us the other day to discuss our Line Cook vacancy. I'm getting in touch to let you know that while we were very impressed with your knowledge and your enthusiasm, competition for the...
Torchbearer
_ **Torchbearer** _ Blake sank to his knees, placing a paw to his battle-felled brother's chest. The pain-stricken grunt it drew threatened to pierce his own. Blood oozed between his fingers. Drenched his palm. He recited a silent prayer for any and...
At Capacity
_ **At Capacity** _ Another step, another bump. I caught the coldest stare from the wolf whose seat my thigh collided with. Following up by thwacking my tail against his leg can't have helped matters as it trailed behind. I decided against glancing...
Blessing Day: Part 1
_ **Blessing Day** _ _ **Part 1** _ _(Sam)_ The smile stretching towards my ears said it all. Saturday morning at Marek's, snugged up tight in the warmth of his thick duvet, half-hiding from the beams of light stabbing between the blinds. We had a...
On Defence
_ **On Defence** _ "You look good," I told Sam, smiling at him through our bathroom mirror. "I hope you're not planning on picking anyone up tonight." "Why would I?" my little 'panda replied from atop the counter, standing at his smaller version,...
The Toyshop
_ **The Toyshop** _ I'd felt awkward as shit from the minute we'd stepped off the train. Making a trip downtown, usually, came with a sense of anticipation. Excitement, even. Which beachside bar would I be chilling out at? At which restaurant or cafe...