wander ~ Chapter 24

Story by Lukas Kawika on SoFurry

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#24 of wander [Patreon Novel]

Not much really happens in this one, just getting things movin forward

(also don't get excited about the Adult tag on this one: it's just a little thing)

Right now if you're signed up on Patreon, you'll get to read through chapter 27 - and you'll also know that I'm starting to wrap this whole thing up! Right now I'm pretty sure there should be at least through 30 before things finish, since I'm planning on at least one more chapter being another full romp, and then there's things to tie up from there. But we're on the final stretch, here.

Some of you might remember that a while back, I paused uploading so I could write out a (four-chapter) buffer with the intent of finally maintaining a standard upload schedule. Once I finish writing the actual chapters, I'm gonna squeeze things in so instead of every other Thursday, you'll be seeing a new chapter every Thursday, weekly.

I'll keep y'all updated. For now, have more cute boys. <3


Dreams that night were cloudy and distant, yet always fuzzy, always warm, and not only because that's what I held in my arms and what I buried my nose into. All of this was something I hadn't felt in a while, and it had been even longer since cuddling someone brought such a feeling like this. Tony fell asleep quickly and easily in my arms and against my body, and I nuzzled in against his neck from behind, squeezed him tight, and just enjoyed what we had between us right there.

Where he went down easily, sleep evaded me for a while. It wasn't the kind of bitter anxiety that you get the night before a big final exam or a job interview, and also not the giddy excitement from Christmas eve or your birthday as a puppy; this was something... something different. I don't know. It's all hard to put words to. Hell, I'm not even sure there are words for that kind of feeling. Wrapped snug in the warmth of the blankets and our bodies, his chest slowly rising and falling beneath my arm, his short fur soft under my fingerpads, his scent fresh and smooth in my nose... I remember leaning in and nuzzling up along his neck a few times, remember him tilting his head to the side and giving a small, quiet purr that faded as quickly as it had begun.

It felt like I kept on waking up through the night, since I remember on multiple occasions opening my eyes to find us in a slightly different position, with him on his back and my nose nuzzled up under his chin, or me on my back with his arm draped across me, or me on my side with him squeezing around me from behind... that was definitely new, too, the feeling of a male's flat chest against my back, the slightly thicker, slightly heavier, more masculine scent tickling at my nose, keeping my heart fluttering and my loins tingling. When that happened, I intertwined my paw with his across my chest and held it close, pressing his palm in against my heart.

And then at one point during the night, when the light from the window and through the curtains had just started to tint to a warmer blue-black, we wound up facing each other again. Maybe it was just the closeness and the contact, or his scent, or some fleeting memory of an adventurous dream, but I remember squirming, stretching my arms a little, pressing my nose forward against his collarbone... and then a second later pressing my twitching cock against his, also hard. Tony rumbled again and held me against him, one arm draped around my waist by the base of my tail - and without opening his eyes he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, parted them with his tongue, slid easily back into my muzzle.

Before my dazed and still half-asleep mind could recognize what was happening, his other paw had made its way back down my belly and through my pubic fur, and wrapped around the base of my shaft... and another seven or so minutes ended in me squeezing tight around his shoulder, lips clamped around his neck to keep from moaning and gasping too loud, jerking and bucking into that tight paw and - spurting out into the fur of his lower belly. He didn't seem to mind that I could only half-kiss him afterwards, struggling to catch my breath when I could.

Then the next thing I remember is Dad calling us down for breakfast, and Tony and myself rushing to extricate ourselves from one another and get our clothes on. The underwear I'd worn yesterday smelled like him - or at least, one very specific part of him - so I left them where they lay on the floor and went to get another, and when I turned back to face him, the cheetah was sitting there on the side of the bed watching me, ears and whiskers up, orange eyes sleepy yet warm, muzzle turned in a sweet smile.

And then it was like nothing had happened between us last night. Or at least, it was like that outwardly; shouldn't quite let Dad know yet that we'd banged, right? The older dingo greeted us individually when we made our way into the kitchen, each of our plates already made up for us.

"I got today off work," he explained, as he took the seat across the table from us. I reached over and patted Tony's leg beneath the table, and within a second, his paw came down to give mine a squeeze. "Well. Not technically off. They told me I could work from home today, so I'm gonna see about doing the absolute least, and spend the rest of the time getting caught up on some of my other shows." He kept his eyes on us as he took another bite of his eggs. "What're your plans for today? Hang around here, I imagine?"

Tony and I looked at each other. I actually... don't think we'd talked about it. Past getting our project done and other things that took priority, we hadn't spent a lot of time doing much else. He shrugged at about the same time I did.

"Wanna... go out to lunch, maybe?" Go on a date. With my boyfriend. My tail wagged through one of the holes in the back of the chair. "Or, like, go out shopping somewhere? We don't have to buy anything. There's a - a bookstore, over by the mall..."

There was that smile again, soft, gentle. Not shy, though. Not this time. "I would like that a lot. When will we go?"

I shrugged again. "What time is it?"

"A little bit after ten," Dad said, through a mouthful of eggs.

So I looked at Tony. God, he was really attractive. "We could go when we're done here, if you like?"

"Yes, that will be good... ah, Matt, do you think you could drive me home, after? Ky and Ari want to get together again before our rehearsal tomorrow."

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay! Let me go get my things."

I watched him as he slid off through the kitchen, all feline grace and poise. I guess it never really clicked for me just how skinny cheetahs are, though, until I'd seen one naked; it looked like someone'd grabbed him at both ends and tugged. Long tail, just barely as wide around as my wrist, followed and flicked behind him, carrying on the swaying of his hips as he went-

Dad tapped his fork against his plate, and at first I thought he'd done it to catch my attention. When I glanced over at him, though, he had his muzzle pointed off towards the window at the other side of the kitchen... but when I glanced again, his eyes were still focused on me. He chewed slowly, swallowed, and then did nothing for a few seconds.

And then he pointed his fork at me and spoke.

"It's probably time we see about getting you a new bedframe, huh?"

I... what? I tilted my head. "'Scuse me?"

Dad reached down and took a sip of his orange juice. He always bought full pulp; I like to have to chew my juice, he'd said. "It really..." He held a finger up, having to pause to quiet an irresistible chuckle. "Really squeaks a lot, doesn't it?" Then, sharp white teeth in a big grin. I could hear him laughing warmly to himself when I swiped my plate off the table, cheeks and ears burning red with embarrassment.

~ ~ ~

For some reason, I felt a little bit nervous about going out into public with Tony after what had passed between us last night... and this morning, too, I guess. I say 'for some reason' yet I knew full well what it was, irrational that may be: it wasn't like the clerk at the bookstore, or the lady walking by with her two kids, or that slim otter boy I recognized from my creative writing class, would be able to tell that he and I had - had fucked last night.

Or. At least, I hope not. As we slid our way into the sci fi section, a tall wolf passing by suddenly turned his muzzle our way, nose and whiskers twitching in the slightest sign of him tasting the air. We'd gotten cleaned up last night - but not this morning, I realized; I hadn't been paying enough attention to know if Tony had cleaned my mess from his bellyfur, or if he was walking around with his fur all matted and stuck together beneath his shirt - but, still, with the closeness between us, and how much we'd rubbed on one another, it wouldn't surprise me if our scents had gotten inseparably mixed.

It was just, like... I don't know. Still hard to describe. Tony had only a few inches on me in terms of height, but there felt to be this massive difference between the way we looked at each other today and how we did yesterday, or the day before that. Beneath the warm, quiet shyness he'd shown at school, there was this... this deep, strong confidence, this strength. His whiskers twitched as he read through the titles on the shelf, "Edge of Perception", "Cairn III", "The Hyperverse Manifesto", whatever - and all of a sudden his bright amber eyes flicked over towards me, and for once I was the one who jumped, blushed, looked away.

Then, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, familiar without being overbearing, and squeezed me against him... and nuzzled down between my ears, just for a second. Next thing I knew, he'd intertwined his paw with mine and drew me slowly along as he scanned through the books, humming quietly to himself. And that much... that much I was okay with, I think. This weird little tingling in my spine came up every time someone looked at us, and when their gaze lingered for a little bit longer than it otherwise might have.

Though, maybe I was imagining things. It was all new to me. It would likely take a while for the whole I had sex with a guy and liked it to really settle in. "Hey Tony?"

He half-turned his muzzle toward me, one paw outstretched towards a book about as wide across as his forearm. "Mm?"

Whoa. I fucked a guy and liked it. I -loved it. I mean, that wet dream had been the first step, and it hadn't brought any inordinate amount of concern or alarm, but... having actually done it, having been buried to the knot underneath his tail, having kissed him right on (and also pretty deeply inside) the mouth, holding him against me, grinding both of us to our peaks... or, I guess I should say he was the one doing all of that. I'd just sorta laid there and tried not to bump my head too hard against the headboard.

He leaned over and pushed his nose against the side of my muzzle. "Hmm?"

"Oh - um-" I swallowed. What was I gonna say? "You know, if you want a book, I'll... I'll treat you."

"Oh, shh. You have already treated me enough." Another nuzzle, this time softer. His little ears flicked as someone walked by outside the aisle, though they didn't see us. "Besides. I am enjoying my time with you."

"I am too." That came without me having to think about it. We remained there for a while longer, looking through all the books though knowing full well we weren't about to start devoting the time to actually read, and then started down towards another section of the store. This was a pretty nice place, somewhere that me and Dad came to every now and then just to wander around and browse. It had a certain characteristic smell to it, and they always had either jazz or classical playing quietly over the speakers; we'd been coming here since I was a puppy, pretty much, and there'd been the same vixen working the 'We'll Buy Your Old Books' corner since then. She smiled and waved at me as we passed by - and then her smile faltered for a second, green eyes flicking down to our intertwined paws.

And then that smile glowed brighter than it had before, muzzle following us for another moment as we passed by.

Somewhere along the way my phone in my pocket vibrated, so I slid my paw out of his to look at who'd messaged me... and, somewhat unsurprisingly-

Your boy spent the night last night, didn't he?

"Is that Lexi?" Tony asked, watching me type my response. His eyes remained on the phone screen for a moment, then shifted up to meet mine. "Tell her hi for me, okay?"

;) Can I poke my big foxy nose into your business and ask what happened?

Oh jeez. This time I started listing something out, fast and nervous and unsure... and then stopped. I'd sorta just been following along wherever Tony led, and found that we now stood in one of the side-areas with all of the mismatched cookbooks.

"Um. Hey Tony?"

This time he fingered at one with some Spanish title, and slid it out into his paws. "Mm?"

"Can I - tell her what happened?" I lowered my voice. "Last night?"

Honestly, I couldn't really tell whether he was thinking or reading. He flipped a page - it was the kind of cookbook that was more like a big binder, with the metal rings and the thick hole-punched pages. "Yes. I guess so. I like her."

"Are you sure?"

Another page flip, this time with him looking right at me again. "Are you?"

So - I did. Not a full report on what exactly had happened between us, mind; most of that was our business, and besides, thinking about it in detail like that gave me a bit of a... complication, so to say. I briefly shoved one of my paws in my pocket to adjust myself before Tony led me down to the next aisle, and then got back to typing. Just tell her enough for her to figure out what had happened, and...

Oh my! Mind if I tell Sandra? She's been wanting to hang out with all of us, you know. Get to know your new boyfriend.

I nudged him again. "Is it OK if she tells Sandra?"

"Sandra?"

"Yeah. Lexi's best friend, possum?"

The cheetah pursed his lips. "Have I met her?"

"I... don't think so?"

Another moment of thought, and then he grinned. "Yes. For sure. I remember you have mentioned her before, and Lexi has too. I think I will like her, too."

"Yeah!" I dunno. Maybe? I still hadn't fully gotten used to her... personality. But, hey, Tony continually surprised me, again and again. So who knew. I looked down at my phone, and half-leaned my shoulder against the cheetah beside me while typing my next response. "I asked him, and he said he's okay with it. Also, let's all get together sometime, then! What's your schedule look like once school starts back up?" Which, goddammit, would be after this weekend. I wasn't ready.

Probably a lot more open now that I don't have to worry about Tyler bugging me to help him with his homework. But it's still a school night every night, so like... Friday?

"Tony's got his concert Friday!" My ears perked after I sent that. I don't think I've actually heard him play, other than for little rehearsal sessions, and that one time I sat down with him in the orchestra room to talk to him... hell, what did the orchestra uniforms even look like? For a few seconds there was this picture in my mind, slim skinny cheetah in a penguin black and white suit, coattails hanging down behind him... I don't know. I'd have to see it.

Oh. ;) Well, I'll see if Sandra is available afterwards. Let's go out to dinner or something.

"Sounds like a plan! I think we'

"Matt?"

Ears perked again, and I looked up at Tony. He clutched a fairly small book in his paws in front of him, and held it out to me when I turned to him. "Common Birds And How To Identify Them". His tail lashed behind him, as if he were embarrassed.

I looked from him, to the cover - it had a bright red cardinal on it - and then back up to him. "Birds?"

"Um." Little pink tongue flicked out over his lips. "I like birds. I... think they're cute."

Of course. Such a cat. I couldn't help but smile, then, as I took the little book from him. "This is the one you want?"

"Yes..." He gave my arms a little squeeze, and nuzzled along the side of my muzzle again. I didn't mind so much. "Thank you..."

"No, no problem." I'd probably have to see about getting a job once school gets out for summer. I mean, I was planning on that anyway. But it's especially nice being able to buy things for my boyfriend.

On the drive back to his place he alternated between looking through that little book, and reaching over to pat my leg. Silence between us other than the classical radio station quietly playing, but it felt nice, you know? That's what most of our time today had been. Sort of just floating around together, around breakfast and then at the bookstore and now here, lingering in each other's presence and enjoying that closeness.

This time instead of watching him go up to the door alone, I got out of the car as well and came with him... and the two of us stood up there at the step for a moment, paws at our sides, facing each other. His tail was flicking behind him again, and I think my ears were twitching... and then without a word we both leaned in and met in another soft kiss, one of his paws coming up to caress my cheek, one of mine lowering to around his waist.

Instead of the deep, hungry kisses like we'd shared so many times since yesterday, this one stayed slow and gentle, soft lips to lips, only the slightest flick of a tongue when we broke apart. We kept our noses together for a moment there, his shorter muzzle against my longer one, both of our whiskers tickling with the other's breathing. His eyes were - really pretty, holy hell. Bright fiery orange, the color of the sun early in the morning before it's more than a hand's breadth above the horizon, and creviced and pitted with some deeper gemstone browns...

"I will get you a ticket to the concert next week," he rumbled, and lowered his paws to my waist. For some reason that little touch sent a sweet shiver up my back, and next thing I knew, I was leaning my weight forward against him. "That is one of the... ah... oh, what is the word for when it's - a prize, but before?"

"The - what?"

"Like a bribe?"

"Incentive?"

"Incentive!" There was that bright smile. "It is an incentive for going to the Saturday rehearsal. They give each student three free tickets to give to family and friends. One for Mamá, one for you, and then one extra..."

I rolled my shoulders. "One for Dad?"

"One for Dad." He nodded and nuzzled at my cheek, little nose drawing in my scent through my fur. I mirrored the movement, and... briefly lost my train of thought, my own nose settled into the warmth between his neck and his shoulder, where it'd been throughout most of the night. I didn't want to let go. "Ohh. Mamá likes him, you know."

"He likes her, too..."

We both drew back right there, and shared what I imagine was the same look of mock half-horror. Then a second later we both broke out into little chuckles, resulting in him wrapping his arms around my back and squeezing me to him.

"Rrr. I know I will see you on Monday, Matt, but... I am still going to miss you."

"Yeah." Muffled by short, thick fur. "I'm gonna miss you too."

"I really enjoyed our time together."

"I did too." I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled in a little more firmly. "For a number of reasons, as I'm sure you know..."

"Oh. Um. Matt." His paws on my waist pulled me away from him, though only so he could look me in the eyes. "Um, I know that this... that this is new for you. Yes?"

"What is?"

"Liking a boy. So... um... if you ever need someone to talk to..." He shrugged. "I mean, I am your boyfriend."

This time, the kiss took him by surprise. Lips still resting lightly against his afterwards, I whispered: "And I'm glad you are."

"I am glad too..." I could feel his purring vibrating through the air and in my fur, rather than really hear it. "But, um - you know, it is not so bad, liking boys. Boys are a lot easier to keep happy, in my experience. A lot easier to date."

"You've had a girlfriend?"

"No." He drew back out of the embrace, one paw still in mine with his other reaching for the door. "But I do have a boyfriend. So that means it must be easier, yes?"

"Wait! Before you go."

"Yes?"

My heart fluttered in my chest. That seemed to happen a lot around him. "One more kiss?"

One turned into two, two turned into three, three turned into my arms wrapped around his shoulders and his paws coming up beneath the back of my shirt, four turned into his back pressed against the brick wall by the doorbell...